Cytology workshop

Question 1

Describe epithelial neoplastic cells

Answer 1

Glandular & 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 mesenchymal neoplastic cells

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 round neoplastic cells

Answer 3

Lymphocyte, plasma cell, mast cell, histiocyte/macrophage
High cell harvest

Individual cells

Round or roundish in shape

Round or oval nuclei

Question 4

Describe the cytology

Can you recognise the cell type?

Can you recognise any of the cells?

Final diagnosis

Answer 4

1. low yield, spindle shaped, small aggregates, oval nuclei
2. Mesenchymal
3. Fibroblasts and multinucleated giant cells
4. injection site sarcoma

Question 5

Describe the cytology

Can you recognise the cell type?

Can you recognise any of the cells?

Final diagnosis

Answer 5

1. High cell yield, lots of granules in background & cells, individual cells, round cells, round nuclei
2. round cells
3. mast cells
4. mast cell tumour

Question 6

Answer 6

high yield, polygonal shaped, clusters, round nuclei

2. Epithelial
3. epithelial cells
4. Trichoblastoma (benign)