Surface characteristics of adenocarcinoma of the uterine cervix

The purpose of this study was to analyze the development and classification of cervical adenocarcinoma as seen by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and correlate the result to morphological alterations in cervical squamous cell carcinoma and endometrial adenocarcinoma. The results showed the endocervical area to be covered by a single layer of columnar cells, some with cilia, containing numerous folds and clefts, but no real glandular structures. The surface of malignant tumors consisted of pavelike arrangements of grooves and clefts covered with blunt microvillous processes, shorter and less delicate than those found on normal columnar cells. The surface microridges of squamous cells were replaced by irregular projections in squamous malignancy and endometrial adenocarcinoma showed a more undulating endometrial appearance.