Cytology and histological correlation

Question 1

Describe the features of an epithelial cell tumour

Answer 1

Glandular and parenchymal tissues or lining surfaces (e.g., mammary gland, liver)
High cell harvest
Cells in cohesive aggregates
Cell borders are typically distinct
Polygonal shaped cells, round nuclei

Question 2

Describe the features of a mesenchymal cell tumour

Answer 2

Connective tissue, muscle, bone & cartilage, nerve, endothelial cells
Low cell harvest
Cells in non-cohesive aggregates or individually
Cell borders are variably defined and often indistinct
Embedded in matrix
Spindle shaped cells with cytoplasmic tails
Oval or plump nuclei

Question 3

Describe the features of a round cell tumour

Answer 3

Lymphocyte, plasma cell, mast cell, histiocyte/macrophage
High cell harvest
Individual cells
Round or roundish in shape
Round or oval nuclei
Look at nucleus:cytoplasmic ratio, position of the nucleus and look in the cytoplasm

Question 4

What types of cells can be a round cell tumour?

Answer 4

Question 5

Describe what you see here and give a diagnosis of this mass

Answer 5

Histo - Dense, round cells - no connections

Cytology - High cell yield
Lots of granules in background (due to smearing) and in cells

Diagnosis - Mast cell tumour

Question 6

Describe what you see here, what type of tumour cell is it?

Answer 6

Mesenchymal