Cytologic features of ciliated adenocarcinoma of the cervix: a case report.
BACKGROUND
Ciliation is a normal finding in the endometrium, fallopian tubes and cervix. Because cilia are characteristically lost when malignant tumors arise at these sites, the detection of cilia on light microscopy is frequently used to support a benign diagnosis. Ciliated carcinomas of müllerian duct origin, however, do occur, albeit rarely, and can pose a potential diagnostic difficulty in cytologic specimens.


METHODS
A woman with a histologically confirmed ciliated adenocarcinoma of the cervix had prior liquid-based cervical cytology showing atypical, ciliated glandular cells that initially raised the diagnostic consideration of tubal metaplasia. A concurrent biopsy, however, revealed focally ciliated adenocarcinoma of the cervix.


CONCLUSIONS
Awareness of the ciliated variant of adenocarcinoma of the cervix is important to avoid overreliance on ciliation as a definitive feature of benignity in cervical cytologic specimens.
O'Connell
Fionnuala
F
Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA.
Cibas
Edmund S
ES
D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000473:pathology*; D000328:Adult; D002584:Cervix Uteri / Q000196:embryology / Q000473:pathology*; D002923:Cilia / Q000473:pathology; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004054:Diethylstilbestrol / Q000009:adverse effects; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D009095:Mullerian Ducts / Q000196:embryology / Q000473:pathology*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011297:Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects; D002583:Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*; D014626:Vaginal Smears
D004054:Diethylstilbestrol