[The correlation between cytology and histopathology of primary adenocarcinoma of the uterine cervix].

Cytodiagnosis is a simple, non-invasive and economical screening method for uterine cervical malignancy. Adenocarcinoma as a primary tumor of uterine cervix, although relatively rare, is increasing recently. The first part of the study consisted of 113 patients, seen during a 10-year period, with adenocarcinoma of the uterine cervix proven by tissue diagnosis with prior and/or coincident Papanicolaou smears available in our hospital. Their cytology were as follows: positive/suspicious for adenocarcinoma in 72 cases (63.7%) and incorrect diagnosis for adenocarcinoma in 41 cases (36.3%). These included epidermoid carcinoma, 21 cases (18.6%); atypia, 8 cases (7.1%); negative smears, 8 cases (7.1%); inadequate specimens, 3 cases (2.7%) and radiation effect, 1 case (0.8%). The second part of the study is concerned with the 82 cases whose smear diagnosis was adenocarcinoma in the same period. The results of their tissue diagnosis and accuracy were as follows: adenocarcinoma in 62 cases (75.6%); epidermoid carcinoma in 9 and epidermoid carcinoma in situ in 3 cases totalling 12 cases (14.6%); and false positive in 8 cases (9.8%). The cytomorphology and its correlation to underdiagnosis and overdiagnosis is discussed. Our data revealed that cervicovaginal smears served as a routine for the screening of primary adenocarcinoma of the uterine cervix and for follow-up and detection of recurrence. In order to increase the accuracy, screening cytotechnicians and cytopathologists should acquaint themselves with the morphology of cervical adenocarcinoma by comparing cervicovaginal smear with histopathology.