BACKGROUND: The cytologic features of papillary serous carcinoma of the cervix (PSCC) have not been described in detail previously. In this study the cytologic features of primary, pure PSCC are described and correlated with the histology. Comparison is made with papillary serous ovarian carcinoma metastatic to the cervix. METHODS: Seven cases of primary pure PSCC and five cases of ovarian PSCC metastatic to the cervix were retrieved from the pathology files. The cytology records and slides, and clinical charts were traced and examined retrospectively. RESULTS: Five of the 7 patients with PSCC were younger than 40 years. The smears of PSCC contained many groups of atypical glandular cells. Monolayered sheets of mildly atypical glandular cells with papillary branches were observed only in the cases of primary PSCC. All cases contained 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 staining cytoplasm were also encountered. Free-lying dissociated atypical cells were also present, some of which were markedly atypical. A marked tumor diathesis of inflammatory cells, cell debris, and blood was encountered with primary PSCC but was scanty in cases of papillary serous ovarian carcinoma metastatic to the cervix. CONCLUSIONS: PSCC has a relatively characteristic cytologic appearance which usually differs from other endocervical adenocarcinomas and from metastatic papillary serous carcinoma. However, some features may lead to underdiagnosis or confusion with other entities such as squamous carcinoma or endometrial carcinoma.
BACKGROUND: The cytologic features of papillary serous carcinoma of the cervix (PSCC) have not been described in detail previously. In this study the cytologic features of primary, pure PSCC are described and correlated with the histology. Comparison is made with papillary serous ovarian carcinoma metastatic to the cervix. METHODS: Seven cases of primary pure PSCC and five cases of ovarian PSCC metastatic to the cervix were retrieved from the pathology files. The cytology records and slides, and clinical charts were traced and examined retrospectively. RESULTS: Five of the 7 patients with PSCC were younger than 40 years. The smears of PSCC contained many groups of atypical glandular cells. Monolayered sheets of mildly atypical glandular cells with papillary branches were observed only in the cases of primary PSCC. All cases contained 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 staining cytoplasm were also encountered. Free-lying dissociated atypical cells were also present, some of which were markedly atypical. A marked tumor diathesis of inflammatory cells, cell debris, and blood was encountered with primary PSCC but was scanty in cases of papillary serous ovarian carcinoma metastatic to the cervix. CONCLUSIONS: PSCC has a relatively characteristic cytologic appearance which usually differs from other endocervical adenocarcinomas and from metastatic papillary serous carcinoma. However, some features may lead to underdiagnosis or confusion with other entities such as squamous carcinoma or endometrial carcinoma.