Cytologic features of primary adenoid cystic carcinoma of the uterine cervix. A case report.
BACKGROUND
Adenoid cystic carcinoma of the cervix is a rare, aggressive neoplasm generally found in postmenopausal women.


METHODS
A cervical cytology specimen was obtained by endocervical brush from an 80-year-old woman with histologically confirmed primary adenoid cystic carcinoma of the cervix. Both small cells arranged in a cribriform (cylindromatous) pattern and moderately dysplastic squamous cells (high grade squamous intraepithelial lesion) were evident.


CONCLUSIONS
Although the endocervical brush technique may yield well-preserved cells and tissue fragments morphologically characteristic of adenoid cystic carcinoma of the cervix, confusion with more common tumors, such as endometrial adenocarcinoma, still may create cytologic diagnostic difficulties.
Ravinsky
E
E
Department of Pathology, Health Sciences Centre, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.
Safneck
J R
JR
Chantziantoniou
N
N
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003528:Carcinoma, Adenoid Cystic / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D002583:Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*; D014626:Vaginal Smears