Survival outcomes and prognostic factors in glassy cell carcinoma: a retrospective analysis of the SEER database from 1992 to 2021

Glassy cell carcinoma (GCC) is a rare, highly aggressive subtype of poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma, primarily affecting the cervix but also reported in other anatomical sites such as the lung, pancreas, and uterus. Due to its rarity, little is known about the optimal management and prognostic factors influencing outcomes. This retrospective study utilized the SEER database to analyze 43 confirmed cases of GCC from 1992 to 2021, aiming to clarify demographic, clinical, and treatment-related factors associated with survival. The analysis revealed that GCC primarily affects females (90.7%) with a median age of 43 years, and most commonly arises in the cervix (74.4%). Survival analysis using Kaplan-Meier and Cox proportional hazards models indicated that disease stage at diagnosis and age were significant prognostic factors. Specifically, distant-stage disease (HR = 8.44, <i>P</i> < 0.001) and advanced age (HR = 1.043, <i>P</i> = 0.001) were associated with poorer survival. In contrast, treatment modalities such as chemotherapy and radiotherapy did not significantly impact survival outcomes, suggesting that traditional approaches may be inadequate for this carcinoma type. These findings underscore the need for improved early detection and tailored therapeutic strategies. GCC's unique biological behavior and limited response to conventional treatments highlight the potential value of exploring targeted therapies to enhance patient outcomes in this rare malignancy.