CYTOLOGIC FEATURES OF PAPILLARY SEROUS ADENOCARCINOMA OF THE UTERINE CERVIX

BACKGROUND. The cytologic features of papillary serous carcinoma of th e cenix (PSCC) have not been described in detail previously. In this s tudy the cytologic features of primary, pure PSCC are described and co rrelated with the histology. Comparison is made with papillary serous ovarian carcinoma metastatic to the cenix. METHODS. Seven cases of pri mary pure PSCC and five cases of ovarian PSCC metastatic to the cervix were retrieved from the pathology files. The cytology records and sli des, and clinical charts were traced and examined retrospectively, RES ULTS, Five of the 7 patients with PSCC were younger than 40 years. The smears of PSCC contained many groups of atypical glandular cells. Mon olayered sheets of mildly atypical glandular cells with papillary bran ches were observed only in the cases of primary PSCC. All cases contai ned multilayered sheets of mildly to moderately pleomorphic glandular cells, pseudopapillary fragments, and tight balls of cells resembling endometrial glandular cells. Squamoid cells with abundant densely stai ning cytoplasm were also encountered. Free-lying dissociated atypical cells were also present, some of which were markedly atypical. A marke d tumor diathesis of inflammatory cells, cell debris, and blood was en countered with primary PSCC but was scanty in cases of papillary serou s ovarian carcinoma metastatic to the cervix. CONCLUSIONS. PSCC has a relatively characteristic cytologic appearance which usually differs f rom other endocervical adenocarcinomas and from metastatic papillary s erous carcinoma. However, some features may lend to underdiagnosis or confusion with other entities such as squamous carcinoma or endometria l carcinoma. (C) 1997 American Cancer Society.