Cytomorphology of verrucous carcinoma of the cervix. A case report.
BACKGROUND
Verrucous carcinoma of the uterine cervix is rare. Cytology is thought not to be helpful in the diagnosis of this lesion due to its bland morphology. The cytologic features of this lesion remain poorly defined.


METHODS
The cytologic findings in a Pap smear facilitated the diagnosis of verrucous carcinoma of the cervix. The features included atypical polygonal and spindle cells with abundant, keratinizing cytoplasm; atypical squamous cells with pearl formation; and frequent, nonkoilocytic cytoplasmic vacuolization.


CONCLUSIONS
There are 30 published reports on verrucous carcinoma involving the cervix and vagina that include the cytologic findings. In 70% of these cases, cytology was abnormal. Recognition of the cytologic characteristics may help in identifying this lesion on cytology, prevent delays in diagnosis and ensure that patients receive appropriate therapy.
Pantanowitz
Liron
L
Department of Pathology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, 330 Brookline Avenue, Boston, Massachusetts 02215, USA. pantano@caregroup.harvard.edu
Upton
Melissa P
MP
Wang
Helen H
HH
Nasser
Imad
I
D001706:Biopsy / Q000592:standards; D018289:Carcinoma, Verrucous / Q000473:pathology*; D002467:Cell Nucleus / Q000473:pathology; D048429:Cell Size / Q000502:physiology; D003593:Cytoplasm / Q000473:pathology; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D003951:Diagnostic Errors / Q000517:prevention & control; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007633:Keratins / Q000378:metabolism; D008875:Middle Aged; D065006:Papanicolaou Test; D002583:Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*; D014617:Vacuoles / Q000473:pathology; D014626:Vaginal Smears
D007633:Keratins