ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To highlight the cytologic features of the cases seen in our institute. STUDY DESIGN: Cases of primary malignant tumors of skin and adnexae diagnosed on cytology with histopathology confirmation were retrieved from case records of 1998-2005. Clinical presentation was noted in all the cases. RESULTS: Thirty primary malignant tumors of skin and adnexae were analyzed. Melanoma was the most common (n=12), followed by squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) (n=5). There were 3 basal cell carcinomas and 2 cases each of sebaceous carcinoma, Paget's disease of the breast and lymphoma. There were single cases of eccrine carcinoma, malignant trichilemmal tumor, undifferentiated carcinoma and extramedullary myeloid cell tumor. All the cases of hemopoietic tumors (n=3) and the majority of the cases (4 of 7) of adnexal were seen to arise from head and neck region. Marjolin's ulcer was seen in 4 of 5 SCCs. Scrape smears were obtained from 8 patients and fine needle aspiration in 22 patients. CONCLUSION: Cytodiagnosis of primary malignant tumors of skin and adnexae is possible based on morphology and clinical presentation.
