title: Liquid-based cytology of villoglandular adenocarcinoma of the cervix: a report of 3 cases.
abstract: Villoglandular adenocarcinoma (VGA) is a rare subtype of cervical adenocarcinoma with a more favorable prognosis compared to conventional adenocarcinomas. Although the tumors are usually recognized on colposcopic examination due to the mainly exophytic growth pattern, they may be underdiagnosed as benign lesions by cytology because of their minimal cytologic atypia. We report the liquid-based cytology (LBC) findings of three histologically confirmed VGAs which we have recently identified. They were characterized by hypercellular smears on low-power examination with smooth-bordered three-dimensional papillary fragments. The nuclei were relatively uniform with irregular nuclear membranes. Nucleoli were small but distinct and macronucleoli were also seen. The abnormal architectural patterns such as papillary structures and nuclear overlapping and nuclear hyperchromasia are important clues to the diagnosis of VGA. In addition, nuclear membrane irregularity and prominent nucleoli can be recognized on LBC specimens, further facilitating its diagnosis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seongnam, Korea.
authors.forename: Younghwa
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Choi
authors.forename: Haeryoung
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Haiyoung
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Choi
authors.forename: Daehyun
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Hwang
authors.forename: Gheeyoung
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Choe
authors.forename: Jin-Haeng
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Chung
authors.forename: So Yeon
authors.initials: SY
authors.lastname: Park
authors.forename: Hye Seung
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Jin Ho
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Paik
authors.forename: Hyo Jin
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Park
keywords: Liquid-based cytology; Uterine cervical neoplasms; Villoglandular adenocarcinoma