Cytologic features of primary adenoid cystic carcinoma of the uterine cervix. A case report.

BACKGROUND

Adenoid cystic carcinoma of the cervix is a rare, aggressive neoplasm generally found in postmenopausal women.

CASE

A cervical cytology specimen was obtained by endocervical brush from an 80-year-old woman with histologically confirmed primary adenoid cystic carcinoma of the cervix. Both small cells arranged in a cribriform (cylindromatous) pattern and moderately dysplastic squamous cells (high grade squamous intraepithelial lesion) were evident.

CONCLUSION

Although the endocervical brush technique may yield well-preserved cells and tissue fragments morphologically characteristic of adenoid cystic carcinoma of the cervix, confusion with more common tumors, such as endometrial adenocarcinoma, still may create cytologic diagnostic difficulties.