Significance of neoplastic atypicalities in endocervical epithelium

Currently, adenocarcinoma in situ and early invasive adenocarcinoma of the cervix are poorly defined entities. The dangers inherent in such diagnoses are identified in this case report of "early adenoepidermoid" cervical cancer in which deepest glands were not involved; however, pelvic recurrence was recognized 5-years posthysterectomy and the patient died of widespread disease 1 1/2 years later. The danger of correlating the knowledge of cervical cancer with gland involvement to "apparently" similar changes in adenocarcinoma are emphasized. It is suggested that, at least at the present, "early adenocarcinoma" must be considered as invasive and treated as such.