[Adenoid basal carcinoma and adenoid cystic carcinoma of the uterine cervix]

Abstract

Adenoid basal carcinoma and adenoid cystic carcinoma are rare primary cervical neoplasms occurring in postmenopausal women. They are generally regarded as distinct entities on the basis of their distinctive morphology and a different biological behaviour. Although the separation of these two entities is still mandatory, some rare complex cases may show overlapping pathological features and are difficult to classify. We report a case of composite cervical tumor with both types of carcinoma, an in situ epidermoid carcinoma and a hitherto undescribed clear cell component, each with a different morphology and immunophenotype. The adenoid basal component is mainly immunoreactive for cytokeratin KL1. The adenoid cystic component is strongly stained for smooth muscle actin and is associated with a hyaline stroma immunostained for collagen IV.