Desmoplastic small round cell tumour : Cytological and immunocytochemical features

Abstract

BackgroundDesmoplastic small round cell tumor (DSRCT) is a rare and highly aggressive neoplasm. The cytological diagnosis of these tumors can be difficult because they show morphological features quite similar to other small round blue cells tumors. We described four cases of DSRCT with cytological sampling: one obtained by fine needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) and three from serous effusions. The corresponding immunocytochemical panel was also reviewed.MethodsPapanicolaou stained samples from FNAB and effusions were morphologically described. Immunoreaction with WT1 antibody was performed in all cytological samples. An immunohistochemical panel including the following antibodies was performed in the corresponding biopsies: 34BE12, AE1/AE3, Chromogranin A, CK20, CK7, CK8, Desmin, EMA, NSE, Vimentin and WT1.ResultsThe smears showed high cellularity with minor size alteration. Nuclei were round to oval, some of them with inconspicuous nucleoli. Tumor cells are clustered, showing rosette-like feature. Tumor cells in effusions and FNA were positive to WT1 in 3 of 4 cytology specimens (2 out 3 effusions and one FNA). Immunohistochemical reactions for vimentin, NSE, AE1/AE3 and WT1 were positive in all cases in tissue sections.ConclusionThe use of an adjunct immunocytochemical panel coupled with the cytomorphological characteristics allows the diagnosis of DSRCT in cytological specimens.

Intranuclear cytoplasmic inclusions—An extremely unusual finding in embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma: Report of a case diagnosed by fine‐needle aspiration biopsy

“…The common sites reported are pleura, paratesticular region, bone, soft tissue and ovary. 4 Although, in the present case the panel of markers used was sufficient enough to arrive at the right diagnosis, there are other markers said to be highly useful in difficult situations, especially in pediatric rhabdomyosarcomas. Most studies have shown rhabdomyosarcoma cells to express myogenin and MyoD1; the nuclear positivity of both these markers in ERMS is regarded as highly specific.…”

“…2 The embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma (ERMS) is common among children below 10 years, whereas, alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma (ARMS) affects chiefly, the adolescents and young adults. 1 Because of their cytomorphologic resemblance, both ERMS and ARMS have to be differentiated from other similar looking small round cell tumors (SRCTs) such as, peripheral neurectodermal tumor (PNET)/Ewing's sarcoma, lymphoma, 3 desmoplastic small round cell tumor (DSRCT), 3,4 and others. 3 Studies have shown that preoperative diagnosis of ERMS is possible solely on simple, noninvasive, cytologic methods using cytochemical and immunocytochemical techniques.…”

Desmoplastic Small Round Cell Tumor: Diagnosis by Fine-Needle Aspiration Cytology

“…Despite the fact that DSRCT is now a well-documented entity with several cytological reports in the literature, generally comprising case reports that include findings in both FNA material and ascitic/pleural effusions [6,7,8,9,17,18,19,20,21,22], its diagnosis is still usually established by histopathological examination.…”

“…The tumor cells demonstrate a high nuclear-cytoplasmatic ratio, oval to round hyperchromatic nuclei with a finely granular chromatin pattern and inconspicuous nucleoli, smooth or irregular nuclear membranes and frequent nuclear molding. The cytoplasm is scant to moderate, palely amphophilic to eosinophilic and occasionally vacuolated [3,4,5,6,7,8,9]. …”

ThinPrep Cytological Findings of Desmoplastic Small Round Cell Tumor with Extensive Glandular Differentiation: A Case Study

“…The cytological diagnosis of this tumor has only ocurred in a few cases, and most of these cases were based on fine-needle aspiration cytology 2-5. Presented herein is a case of cytological finding of DSRCT with extensive glandular differentiation using peritoneal-washing and pleural-effusion ThinPrep.…”