Exfoliative cytology of adenoma malignum (minimal deviation adenocarcinoma) of the uterine cervix

Abstract

Cervical scraping smears from two cases of histologically confirmed adenoma malignum of the uterine cervix were reviewed. In one case, several irregular sheets of benign-appearing glandular cells with slightly enlarged nuclei, conspicuous nucleoli, and clear cytoplasm were found. In the other case, in addition to sheets of benign-appearing glandular cells, there were clustered malignant glandular cells with prominent nucleoli. The sheets of benign-appearing glandular cells in both cases displayed wispy cytoplasmic extensions or "tails." Cytologic differential diagnosis with other glandular lesions of the cervix such as clear cell carcinoma, microglandular hyperplasia, diffuse laminar glandular hyperplasia, tubal metaplasia, and well-differentiated invasive or in situ adenocarcinoma is briefly discussed.