Journal of Pathology and Translational Medicine

Volume 17(1); March 2006

Original Articles

Cytopathology of Urinary Tract Neoplasms.: Eun Kyung Hong; Korean J Cytopathol. 2006;17(1):1-17.

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Abstract PDF: Urine cytology is the most useful technique for detecting either primary or recurrent neoplasms in the urinary tract. Although urine cytology is the traditional method of detecting these neoplasms, its diagnostic accuracy has been underevaluated because of low sensitivity. The cytologic interpretation of urinary samples is not an easy task, even with some expertise in this area, for many reasons. In low-grade urothelial carcinoma, no reliable or reproducible diagnostic cytologic criteria can be provided because of the lack of obvious cytologic features of malignancy, which is one of the main factors lowering its diagnostic accuracy. Many diagnostic markers have been developed recently to enhance its diagnostic yield, but the results have not been satisfactory. However, urine cytology plays a role in detecting high-grade urothelial carcinoma or its precursor lesions. It still shows higher specificity than any of the newly developed urine markers. Understanding the nature of urine samples and the nature of neoplasms of the urinary tract, recognizing their cytologic features fully, and using cytologic findings under appropriate conditions in conjunction with a detailed clinical history would make urine cytology a very valuable diagnostic tool.

New Techniques for the Detection of the Malignant Cells in Urine Cytology.: Gyungyub Gong; Korean J Cytopathol. 2006;17(1):18-26.

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Abstract PDF: Transitional cell carcinoma of the urinary bladder is common in the genitourinary tract. The gold standard for the diagnosis of bladder cancer has been cystoscopy, along with urine cytology. Cystoscopy is an invasive and relatively expensive technique. By comparison, urine cytology is easy to perform and specific for a diagnosis of bladder cancer, although less sensitive, especially in low-grade tumors. For this reason, there has been a need for superior noninvasive technology to increase our confidence in being able to detect bladder cancer. There are many reports of the various urinary tests that are available to facilitate the diagnosis. In this article, I reviewed the literature on urinary markers and tests that may be clinically useful, including fluorescence in situ hybridization, uCyt+/Immunocyte, the BTA(R) test, the NMP 22TM, the FDP(R) test, the telomerase activity test, the HA and HAse tests, and flow cytometry. Most of these tests have a higher sensitivity and specificity than cytology. However, urine cytology has the highest specificity, especially in individuals with a high-grade tumor. We conclude that no urinary markers or tests can replace the role of cystoscopy along with cytology in the diagnosis of transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder. However, some markers could be used adjunctively to increase the diagnostic accuracy during screening or during the postoperative follow-up examination of patients with bladder cancer.

Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology of Periductal Mastitis (Subareolar Abscess) and its Clinical Significance of Cytological Diagnosis.: Han Seong Kim, Mee Joo, Sun Hee Chang, Ji Eun Kwak, Sung Hye Park, Byung Ju Song; Korean J Cytopathol. 2006;17(1):27-31.

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Abstract PDF: Periductal mastitis is a specific clinicopathologic entity, and is referred to by several names: recurrent subareolar abscess, squamous metaplasia of the lactiferous duct, and Zuska's disease. Clinically, the differentiation of periductal mastitis from other benign lesions and carcinomas around the nipple frequently proves a difficult proposition. We reviewed the fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) of 14 cases of periductal mastitis, which had been diagnosed either radiologically, histologically, or clinically. The patient group included 13 female patients, and one male. The majority of the patients in this group had presented with subareolar masses. All cases evidenced characteristic anucleated squamous cell clusters within a mixed inflammatory background. A diagnosis of periductal mastitis can be rendered fairly readily on excisional biopsy. However, FNAC is considered to be superior to excisional biopsy as an initial diagnostic procedure for any palpable mass in subareolar lesions of the breast. FNAC can also be a useful diagnostic technique in cases of periductal mastitis, even in the early phases of the disease. A definitive diagnosis of subareolar abscess via FNAC will enable the clinician to select the most appropriate medical or surgical treatment.

Cytologic Findings of Clear Cell Carcinoma of Ovary.: Ji Young Park, Hye Sun Kim, Jong Sun Choi; Korean J Cytopathol. 2006;17(1):32-37.

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Abstract PDF: The objective of this study was to evaluate the cytomorphologic features of histologically confirmed clear cell carcinoma of the ovary and to evaluate the applicability of scrape or fine-needle aspiration cytology in making an intraoperative diagnosis. We reviewed scrape or fine-needle aspiration cytology findings in tissues taken from 6 patients with clear cell carcinoma of the ovary. The cytologic diagnosis was based primarily on findings in alcohol-fixed, hematoxylin-eosin (H-E) stained smears. The formation of material resembling a basement membrane was a characteristic finding in these smears. This extracellular hyaline material was stained light pink with H-E and was frequently found within tumor cell clusters as well as in the background material. Multinucleated giant cells were found occasionally. Each tumor cell had an abundant, clear, or granular cytoplasm with a distinct cellular membrane. Scrape cytology is a simple and rapid supportive method and could be helpful in diagnosing clear cell carcinoma of the ovary, especially when marked artifacts appear in the frozen section.

Utility of Bile Duct Brush Cytology in Pancreaticobiliary Diseases: Prospective Comparative Study of Conventional Smear and MonoPrep2(TM) Liquid Based Cytology.: So Young Jin, Dong Wha Lee, Mee Sun Kim, Young Deok Cho, Young Koog Cheon, Min Sung Choi, Dong Won Kim; Korean J Cytopathol. 2006;17(1):38-45.

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Abstract PDF: Bile duct brush cytology has been employed as a diagnostic tool for the evaluation of pancreatic and biliary tract strictures. The specificity of this method is high however, its sensitivity is quite low. A recent study employing liquid based cytology (LBC) reported results comparable to those achieved via conventional cytology. Therefore, we have attempted to prospectively evaluate the diagnostic utility of bile duct brush cytology in pancreaticobiliary diseases. A total of 46 cases with bile duct stricture were enrolled including 11 cases of benign stricture, 29 cases of bile duct carcinoma, 3 cases of gallbladder cancer, and 3 cases of pancreatic cancer. Both conventional smear and LBC using MonoPrep2(TM) system were conducted in each case. The cytological diagnosis of each case was classed into the following categories; benign, suspicious for malignancy, and malignancy. The diagnostic accuracy of both cytologic methods was investigated. LBC evidenced a high rate of material insufficiency (13/46), which was attributed to low cellularity. The kappa index of both cytological methods was 0.508. Cytological and tissue diagnoses were correlated in 25 cases conducted from biopsy or operation. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value were 41.2% (7/17), 100% (8/8), 100% (7/7), and 44.4% (10/18) in conventional smear; 58.8% (10/17), 87.5% (7/8), 90.9% (10/11), and 50.0% (7/14) in LBC; and 94.1% (16/17), 87.5% (7/8), 94.1% (16/17), and 87.5% (7/8) in any one of both cytological methods, respectively. Based on these results, the sensitivity of LBC was found to be superior to that of conventional smear and we were able to obtain higher positive predictive value upto 94.1% by simultaneously conducting both cytologic methods.

Case Reports

Micropapillary Variant of Urothelial Carcinoma of the Urinary Bladder: Report of a Case with Cytologic Diagnosis in Urine Specimen.: Young Seok Lee, Hyunjoo Lee, Jung Woo Choi, Bongkyung Shin, Hankyem Kim, Insun Kim, Aeree Kim; Korean J Cytopathol. 2006;17(1):46-50.

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Abstract PDF: A micropapillary variant of urothelial carcinoma (MPC) is a distinct entity with an aggressive clinical course. It has a micropapillary configuration resembling that of ovarian papillary serous carcinoma. Its cytologic features have rarely been reported. We report a case of MPC detected by urine cytology. A woman aged 93 years presented with a chief complaint of macroscopic hematuria. Cytology of her voided urine showed clusters of malignant cells in a micropapillary configuration. Each tumor cell had a vacuolated cytoplasm, a high nuclear:cytoplasmic ratio, and irregular hyperchromatic nuclei. An ureteroscopic examination revealed exophytic sessile papillary masses extending from the left lateral wall to the anterolateral wall of the urinary bladder. A transurethral resection of the tumor was carried out. The tumor was characterized by delicate papillae with a thin, well-developed fibrovascular stromal core and numerous secondary micropapillae lined with small cuboidal cells containing uniform low- to intermediate-grade nuclei and occasional intracytoplasmic mucinous inclusions. These tumor cells infiltrated the muscle layers of the bladder, and lymphatic tumor emboli were frequently seen. Recognizing that the presence of MPC components in urinary cytology is important for distinguishing this lesion from low-grade papillary lesions and high-grade urothelial carcinomas can result in early detection and earlier treatment for an improved treatment outcome.

Cytologic Findings of a Plasmacytoid Variant of Urothelial Carcinoma of the Urinary Bladder in Voided Urine.: Soo Jin Jung, Joo Yeon Song, Hye Kyoung Yoon, Sung Hyup Choi; Korean J Cytopathol. 2006;17(1):51-55.

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Abstract PDF: The plasmacytoid variant is an extremely rare form of urothelial carcinoma in which the malignant cells resemble those of plasmacytoma. We report the cytologic features of 3 cases of this disorder. All 3 patients were male and presented with painless macroscopic hematuria. The voided urine cytology revealed a few scattered clusters of tumor cells in a bloody background. Each tumor cell had an abundant amount of cytoplasm that was clear or densely stained and characterized by eccentrically located nuclei. A histological examination of tissue obtained from a radical cystectomy confirmed the cytologic diagnosis in each 3 case, revealing a diffusely infiltrating tumor composed of round, noncohesive tumor cells demonstrating a high nuclear grade. These cells had infiltrated the tunica propria in 2 cases, but were limited to the submucosa in 1 case. The tumor cells were plasmacytoid in appearance, each demonstrating an eccentric nucleus and dense cytoplasm, as seen in the cytologic findings. All of the tumors were immunoreactive for pancytokeratin, CK7, CK20; negative for epithelial membrane antigen (EMA), leukocyte common antigen (LCA), kappa, lambda, and CD79a. Thus, it is important to consider the plasmacytoid variant of urothelial carcinoma in addition to plasmacytoma or lymphoma as a diagnosis when encountering plasmacytoid tumor cells in a voided urine sample.

Salivary Duct Carcinoma with Mucin Containing Cells: Report of a Case Misdiagnosed as Mucoepidermoid Carcinoma on Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology.: Haeryoung Kim, Hyunki Kim, Hoguen Kim, Jin Kim, Soon Won Hong, Se Hoon Kim; Korean J Cytopathol. 2006;17(1):56-62.

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Abstract PDF: Salivary duct carcinoma (SDC) is a rare primary salivary gland malignancy characterized by histological features similar to those of ductal carcinomas of the breast. It is regarded as a high-grade malignancy associated with frequent local recurrences and early distant metastases that require aggressive treatment. The typical fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) findings in SDC include cellular smears showing tumor cells with eccentric pleomorphic nuclei and a granular cytoplasm arranged in flat sheets or cribriform patterns against a necrotic background. However, the presence of mucin-containing cells in SDC has been rarely described. We report the FNAC findings in a patient with histologically confirmed SDC that demonstrated numerous mucin-containing cells and was subsequently misdiagnosed as a high-grade mucoepidermoid carcinoma. Here we discuss the problems involved in distinguishing SDC from high-grade mucoepidermoid carcinoma on the basis of cytologic findings alone.

Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology of Inflammatory Myofibroblastic Tumor of Lung: A Case Report.: Gyeongsin Park, Kyungji Lee, Sun Mi Lee, Kyo Young Lee, Sang In Shim, Chang Suk Kang, Youn Soo Lee; Korean J Cytopathol. 2006;17(1):63-68.

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Abstract PDF: Inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor (IMT), normally referred to as inflammatory pseudotumor, is a fairly rare condition. Fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) of IMT has only rarely been reported. Here, we describe one such case of pulmonary inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor. A 30-year-old man presented with a 2.8cm-sized mass in his lung. Chest CT revealed a well defined, poorly enhancing mass. FNAC showed some fascicular or swirled clusters of spindle cells, admixed with occasional inflammatory cells and foamy histiocytes. The majority of the tumor cells evidenced bland, elongated nuclei, but infrequent pleomorphic nuclei. Some of the tumor cells evidenced nuclear grooves and intranuclear inclusions. Although the cytological differentiation of IMT from malignant lesions is not immensely problematic, due to the general paucity of cytological and nuclear atypia, a definite cytological diagnosis of IMT cannot be rendered simply by FNAC. Therefore, a diagnosis of IMT may be suggested via exclusive diagnosis.

Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology of Alveolar Soft Part Sarcoma: A Case Report.: Joon Hyuk Choi, Young Ran Shim, Duk Seop Shin, Kil Ho Cho; Korean J Cytopathol. 2006;17(1):69-74.

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Abstract PDF: Alveolar soft part sarcoma (ASPS) is a rare soft tissue sarcoma, which occurs predominantly in adolescents and young adults. The cytological characteristics of this condition have been described only rarely in the literature. Here, we report a case of alveolar soft part sarcoma. A 28-year-old man presented with a mass in his right buttock, which had persisted for three years. The mass was subjected to a fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC). The smears were cellular. The observed tumor cells were round or polygonal, and exhibited vesicular nuclei with prominent nucleoli and finely granular cytoplasm. Naked nuclei were frequently detected. Tumor cells were arranged singularly, but occasionally in a pseudoalveolar pattern.

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