Basement membrane material (hyaline globules) in synovial sarcoma. A case report with description of a potential diagnostic pitfall
Synovial sarcoma (SS), a malignant mesenchymal tumor, has a biphasic growth pattern characteristically. Histologically and cytologically the tumor can pose diagnostic difficulty when the epithelial component is predominant. A 22-year-old female presented with a rapidly enlarging mass on the lower le...
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Published in | Acta cytologica Vol. 42; no. 3; p. 791 |
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Main Authors | , , , , |
Format | Journal Article |
Language | English |
Published |
Switzerland
01.05.1998
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Subjects | |
Online Access | Get more information |
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Summary: | Synovial sarcoma (SS), a malignant mesenchymal tumor, has a biphasic growth pattern characteristically. Histologically and cytologically the tumor can pose diagnostic difficulty when the epithelial component is predominant.
A 22-year-old female presented with a rapidly enlarging mass on the lower left side of the neck. Fine needle aspiration of the tumor yielded abundant, discohesive round-oval cells mingled with amorphous hyaline material, raising a suspicion of medullary carcinoma of the thyroid. In addition, air-dried, Giemsa-stained smears demonstrated rosettelike structures with central magenta globular material, mimicking adenoid cystic carcinoma. However, histologic examination of the excised tumor, including immunohistochemical and ultrastructural studies, proved it to be a typical SS with copious basement membrane accumulations.
The cytologic appearance of SS can be confusing. However, a false diagnosis may be avoided if adequate needle sampling is ensured and clinical correlation considered. |
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ISSN: | 0001-5547 |
DOI: | 10.1159/000331849 |