[Adenoid cystic carcinoma of the cervix]

ABSTRACT

Adenoid cystic carcinoma is a malignant neoplasm described in the salivary glands. Primary adenoid cystic carcinoma of the cervix is extremely rare, accounting for less than 1% of all cervical carcinomas. A 54 years old woman presented with the complaints of vaginal bleeding and pain. The cervical examination revealed a polypoid swelling mass measuring 1.5 cm in great dimension. A cervical biopsy diagnosed an adenoid cystic carcinoma associated with cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grade III [CIN III]. After a brachytherapy, the patient went through a radical surgery. The pathological study of the specimen confirmed the initial diagnosis. Adenoid cystic carcinoma is more common in the salivary glands and respiratory tract glands. Exceptionally, it may arise in the cervix. An accurate diagnosis is exclusively established by pathology. The histological appearance is similar to its counterpart in salivary glands .the characteristic cystic spaces are filled with a slightly eosinophilic hyaline material or basophilic mucin and are surrounded by palisaded epithelial cells. The most important differential diagnosis of cervical adenoid cystic carcinoma is ademoid basal carcinoma which has a better prognosis. Adenoid cystic carcinoma of the cervix is an uncommon neoplasm. Histological examination is necessary to confirm this diagnosis. The optimal treatment combines surgery and radiotherapy associated to chemotherapy. The prognosis remains poor