The cytological features and DNA content of cervical adenocarcinoma

Abstract

The relationship among cytological features, DNA content, and degree of histological differentiation of cervical adenocarcinoma was investigated in an attempt to discover a more accurate means of screening for this cancer. In highly differentiated adenocarcinoma (so-called adenoma malignum), the nuclei were only somewhat more irregular in size and shape than those of normal columnar epithelial cells. The cells were arranged in slightly multilayered clusters. The cells of well-differentiated adenocarcinoma were usually columnar in shape, and they exfoliated side by side in clusters. In moderately differentiated adenocarcinoma, solitary cells with markedly atypical nuclei were combined with multilayered cell clusters. The cells from poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma were roundish, occurred as solitary cells or irregularly overlapping cell clusters, and showed markedly atypical nuclei. As the degree of histological differentiation decreased, as determined by measurement of the DNA content of the cells, the DNA distribution covered a wider range in terms of ploidy, and the number of cells exceeding tetraploid DNA content increased.

Cytologic Findings in Minimal Deviation Adenocarcinoma (Adenoma Malignum) of the Cervix:A Report of Seven Cases

“…"However compared with that of normal cervical columnar epithelium, it was somewhat hyperchromatic." 4 The original cytologic interpretation of these cells is not reported.…”

“…In the report by Kudo and coworkers, 4 on the cytologic features of cervical adenocarcinoma, three cases of MDA were identified. These were noted to have " only a few tumor cells present" and "nuclei were somewhat more irregular in size and shape than those of normal columnar epithelial cells."…”

Cytologic and cytochemical features of adenoma malignum of the uterine cervix

“…5,6 Several papers have been published on the cytologic features of mucinous MDA. [7][8][9][10][11] The difficulty experienced in a cytologic diagnosis of mucinous MDA, as described previously by these authors, is the result of several factors as follows: (1) the relative rarity of this tumor, (2) the infrequent of exposure of the tumor tissues to the cervical mucosal surface, (3) the extremely well differentiated features of the tumor cells, with almost no cellular atypia, and (4) the absence of a useful marker to identify the tumor cells. In addition, even when the tumor cells are present in smears, they resemble endocervical lining cells.…”

Minimal deviation adenocarcinoma ("adenoma malignum") of the cervix: A diagnostic dilemma

“…Some reports suggest cytological examination as a better aid to detect this tumor with an 83% success rate 11 . The common cytological features of mucinous MDA are (1) the frequent appearance of large sheets of cells with a honeycomb pattern on end view and a palisading arrangement at the periphery, (2) abnormal glandular cells with abundant cytoplasm showing slight to overt atypia in addition to benign-appearing glandular cells, and (3) slightly enlarged mucous cells with ovoid nuclei [12][13][14][15] . To make a correct diagnosis, it is necessary to find a characteristic pathological feature such as multiple irregular lobulations of distorted glands demonstrating a ""hair-pin"" shape 4 .…”