ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To investigate and describe the cytomorphology of malignant effusions from ovarian clear cell carcinomas (OCCC). METHODS: Five cases of malignant peritoneal effusions from OCCC histologically confirmed were analysed and compared. RESULTS: Among the malignant peritoneal effusions exhibiting clear cell features, a characteristic feature of OCCC was the presence of large deposits of a hyaline matrix. This matrix may be typically arranged either in 'raspberry bodies' or 'globule-like' structures. Other rare neoplasms composed of clear cells must be considered in the differential diagnosis such as yolk sac tumour of the ovary, clear cell subtype of endometrial carcinoma and, less frequently, malignant peritoneal mesothelioma as well as metastatic renal cell carcinoma. CONCLUSIONS: Ovarian clear cell carcinomas have distinct morphological features that are helpful in making a cytological diagnosis of this entity. The role of cytological examination in ovarian neoplasms is of paramount importance, as stated by The International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) recommendations.
Subject(s)
Adenocarcinoma, Clear Cell/diagnosis , Carcinoma, Renal Cell/diagnosis , Cytodiagnosis , Endometrial Neoplasms/diagnosis , Ovarian Neoplasms/diagnosis , Adenocarcinoma, Clear Cell/pathology , Ascitic Fluid/pathology , Carcinoma, Renal Cell/pathology , Diagnosis, Differential , Endometrial Neoplasms/pathology , Female , Humans , Lung Neoplasms/diagnosis , Lung Neoplasms/pathology , Mesothelioma/diagnosis , Mesothelioma/pathology , Mesothelioma, Malignant , Ovarian Neoplasms/pathology , Pleural Effusion, Malignant/diagnosis , Pleural Effusion, Malignant/pathologyABSTRACT
We report the cases of two patients with head and neck Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) who developed local recurrences confirmed by cytopathology. Interphase fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) analysis was performed for research purposes using centromeric probes of chromosomes 6 and 8, on cytological slides. Trisomy of chromosome 6 was found in 85% of tumour cells in the first case of MCC and case 2 exhibited trisomy 8 in 77% of tumour cells. In the absence of specific molecular markers, detection of trisomy 6 and/or trisomy 8 could help in identifying MCC. FISH analysis is easily and quickly performed on interphase nuclei obtained through fine needle aspiration and may be extended to the study of other relevant genetic abnormalities.
