Müllerian adenosarcoma presenting as cervical polyps: a report of seven cases and review of the literature.

OBJECTIVE: To emphasize the importance of early diagnosis in cases of müllerian adenosarcoma that appeared as benign-looking cervical polyps.

METHODS: We examined seven cases of müllerian adenosarcoma of the uterus in patients 14-63 years of age (median 39 years). Tissue protruding from the external os and an initial diagnosis of a cervical polyp were common findings for all patients. On repeated examination, all lesions were interpreted as müllerian adenosarcomas.

RESULTS: Histologic examination demonstrated benign glands with a sarcomatous stroma, which typically formed periglandular cuffs of increased cellularity. The sarcomatous stroma was homologous in four cases and contained heterologous elements such as striated muscle, lipoblast, and cartilage in three cases; one patient had a sarcomatous overgrowth of stromal elements. The question of a müllerian adenofibroma versus adenosarcoma was raised in three cases with the general appearance of slit-like glands surrounded by a stroma with fibrosis and a low mitotic rate. Using the criteria of stromal cellularity--marked stromal atypia and a mitotic index of two figures per ten high-power fields--the cases were classified as adenosarcomas. The sarcomatous overgrowth, the presence of heterologous elements, and a high mitotic rate seem to be important prognostically.

CONCLUSION: Gynecologists and pathologists should be aware of the difficulties and delay in the diagnosis of müllerian adenosarcoma when the tumor presents as a benign-looking cervical polyp.