Endocervix, Adenocarcinoma in-situ

Adenocarcinoma in situ (AIS) of the endocervix is the early (non-invasive) form of cervical glandular cancer. While less common than squamous lesions, they are also caused by human papillomavirus (HPV) and less easily detected. In cytology preparations, it presents as sheets, rosettes or pseudostratified strips of cells with palisading nuclear arrangements demonstrating peripheral "feathering". Nuclei are hyperchromatic, enlarged, and elongated with coarsely granular chromatin and inconspicuous nucleoli. Mitosis and apoptotic bodies are commonly seen. Differential diagnoses include: high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion, repair, tubal metaplasia, or directly sampled endometrium/endometriosis.