Adenoid cystic (cylindromatous) carcinoma associated with squamous cell carcinoma of the cervix uteri: cytologic presentation of a case with histologic and ultrastructural correlations.

BACKGROUND

Adenoid cystic (cylindromatous) carcinoma is a rare tumor. It accounts for approximately < 1-3% of primary adenocarcinomas of the cervix uteri. Its origin is debatable. It has a higher incidence in postmenopausal women but can develop in patients under 40. An association of adenoid cystic carcinoma with squamous cell carcinoma has been reported.

CASE

A case of invasive adenoid cystic (cylindromatous) carcinoma associated with an in situ squamous cell carcinoma of the cervix detected on Papanicolaou smears is reported. Ultrastructural studies provided findings that confirmed that the hyaline material corresponded to the remnants of the lamina densa of the basement membrane of malignant cells.

CONCLUSION

The concurrence of these two tumors supports the hypothesis that adenoid cystic carcinoma of the cervix may develop from multipotent reserve cells.