680 



THE REPRODUCTIVE ORGANS OF THE FEMALE. 



f 

 , 



the epithelial tumors of the uterus among the carcinomata. Others, 

 recognizing the benign character of many of the epithelial tumors of the 

 uterus, have adopted a sharp distinction be- 

 tween benign and malignant adenoma. 



It seems to the writer wise to preserve 

 here, as elsewhere in the body, the morpho- 

 logical distinction between adenoma and 

 carcinoma. But in doing this it should al- 

 ways be borne in mind that the adenomata 

 of the uterus, as those of the gastro-intestinal 

 canal, may not only be extremely malignant 

 as adenomata, but that the more benign 

 forms are extremely prone to develop, both 

 in structure and malignancy, into carcino- 

 mata. In fact, in many cases we can ex- 

 press the peculiarities of structure in these 

 tumors only by calling them adeno-carci- 

 noma. 



The adenomata of the uterus may begin 

 in a simple hyperplasia of the mucous mem- 

 brane, in which glandular development is preponderant (see above). 

 When the tumor character becomes established this new glandular 

 growth is commonly in the form of irregular, often dilated follicu- 

 lar structures with a well-marked lumen lined with cvlindrical or cu- 



FIG. 43& ADENOMA OF THE UTERUS. 



Showing a small portion of the epi- 

 thelium in Fig. 432 more highly mag- 

 nified. Mitotic figures are seen in the 

 deeper layers. 



FIG. 434. ADENOMA OF THE UTERUS. 

 Showing the gross appearance of the interior of the uterus with an adenomatous involvement of the entire 



