Ultrastructure of glassy cell carcinoma of cervix.

Abstract

The ultrastructural characteristics of a glassy cell carcinoma (GCC) of the cervix are presented and discussed in relation to differential diagnosis and pathogenesis. GCC is composed of four morphologically distinct but pathogenetically interrelated epithelial cell types. These include undifferentiated cells; squamous cells; gland cells; and intermediate cells containing both squamous and glandular characteristics. GCC may arise either from endometrial-type cells or subcolumnar reserve cells of the endocervix and should be distinguished from large-cell nonkeratinizing squamous cell carcinoma.