ENDOMETRIOID CARCINOMA OF THE FALLOPIAN-TUBE RESEMBLING AN ADNEXAL TUMOR OF PROBABLE WOLFFIAN ORIGIN - A REPORT OF 6 CASES

Six adenocarcinomas of the fallopian tube that resembled the female ad nexal tumor of probable wolffian origin are described. The tumors, whi ch occurred in patients from 38 to 66 (average 55) years of age, typic ally formed intraluminal masses. One was an incidental finding on micr oscopic examination. On microscopic examination, the tumors were chara cterized by a predominant pattern of small, closely packed cells punct ured by numerous glandular spaces, which were typically small but occa sionally were cystically dilated. Many of the glands contained a dense colloid-like secretion that was positive with the periodic acid-Schif f stain. Small amounts of intracellular mucin were present in all case s. In the solid areas of three cases, spindle cells that focally forme d concentric whorls were present. In all cases, small numbers of tubul ar glands typical of endometrioid adenocarcinoma were identified. The cytologic atypia and mitotic activity of the tumors were variable, but they exceeded that usually seen in wolffian duct tumors. The evidence indicates that this neoplasm represents an unusual form of endometrio id adenocarcinoma. It is important that it is distinguished from a tum or of wolffian duct origin.