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Cyto Contents

Cyto ─ Contents

─ Cyto ─ Pancreas

Classification, Papanicolaou Society 2014

Classification, WHO

Non-Diagnostic

Benign / Negative (for Malignancy)

Normal and contaminants

Acute pancreatitis

Cholangitis

Chronic pancreatitis

Chronic Pancreatitis & Reactive Ductal Atypia

Groove/paraduodenal pancreatitis

Autoimmune and IgG4-related pancreatitis

Lymphoepithelial Cyst

Pseudocyst

Splenule (accessory spleen)

Serous cystadenoma

Schwannoma

Lymphangioma

Other rare benign neoplasms

Atypical

Pancreaticobiliary neoplasm (low & high risk)

Pancreatic intraepithelial neoplasia

Biliary intraepithelial neoplasia

Pancreatic intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm

Intraductal papillary neoplasm of the bile duct

Mucinous cystic neoplasm

Intraductal oncocytic papillary neoplasm

Intraductal tubulopapillary neoplasm

Other WHO low-risk lesions (including spindle cell tumours)

Suspicious for malignancy

Malignant

Solid Pseudopapillary Neoplasm

Pancreatoblastoma

Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma

Neuroendocrine Tumor

Neuroendocrine carcinoma

Acinar cell Carcinoma

─ Cyto ─ GYN

Adequacy

Benign GYN Cytology

Squamous cells

Glandular cells

Benign Reactions

Contaminants and miscellaneous

Organisms

Bethesda system

Glandular Lesions

Carcinoma

Squamous cell carcinoma

Adenocarcinoma

─ Cyto ─ Thyroid

Inadequate

Unsatisfactory

Benign

Benign

Follicular nodular disease

Graves disease

Thyroiditis

Lymphocytic Thyroiditis

Granulomatous Thyroiditis

Acute Suppurative Thyroiditis

Riedel Thyroiditis

Thyroglossal duct cyst

Bronchial cleft cyst

Atypia of undetermined significance

Follicular neoplasm

Follicular neoplasm ─ oncocytic

Suspicious for malignancy

Malignant

Salivary neoplasms

Papillary Carcinoma

NIFTP

Encapsulated Follicular Variant PTC and NIFTP

Follicular Variant PTC with Infiltrative Growth

Macrofollicular Variant PTC

Cystic Variant PTC

Oncocytic PTC

Warthin-Like Variant PTC

Tall Cell Variant PTC

Columnar Cell Variant PTC

Solid / Trabecular PTC

Diffuse Sclerosing PTC

Hobnail Variant PTC

Medullary Carcinoma

Anaplastic Carcinoma

Lymphoma

Bethesda

Other Tumors

Cribriform morular thyroid carcinoma

Hyalinizing trabecular tumor

─ Cyto ─ Serous fluids

Types of cells

Benign Mesothelial cells

Reactive mesothelial cells

Histiocytes

Types of Effusions

Transudative Effusions

Exudative Effusions

Lymphocytic Effusions

Neutrophilic effusions

Eosinophilic Effusions

Chylous effusion

Tuberculous effusions

Rheumatoid effusion

Systemic Lupus Erythematous

Benign entities

Collagen balls

Endometriosis

Endosalpingiosis

International System

Non-Diagnostic

Negative for malignancy

Atypia of unknown significance

Suspicious for malignancy

Malignant

Adenocarcinoma

Papillary thyroid carcinoma

Small cell carcinoma

Squamous cell carcinoma

Primary Effusion Lymphoma

Melanoma

Ovarian Serous Carcinoma

Metastatic Urothelial Carcinoma

Mesothelioma

Lymphoma

Leiomyosarcoma

Epithelioid Angiosarcoma

Other malignancies

─ Cyto ─ Respiratory

Cells

Respiratory columnar cells

Goblet cells

Basal or reserve cells

Macrophages

Squamous cells

Collection methods

Sputum

Broncheoalveolar lavage

Bronchial brushing and bronchial washing

FNA

I ─ Insufficient / Inadequate / Non-diagnostic

II ─ Benign

Granular cell tumor

Pulmonary alveolar proteinosis

Lipoid pneumonia

Pulmonary Hamartoma

Sclerosing Pneumocytoma

Solitary tracheobronchial papilloma

Bronchial cell hyperplasia

Basal cell hyperplasia / Reserve cell hyperplasia

Reactive bronchial epithelium, repair and regeneration

Type 2 pneumocyte hyperplasia

Squamous metaplasia

Cytopathic changes in viral infection

Chemotherapy- and radiotherapy-related changes

Curschmann s Spirals

III ─ Atypical

IV ─ Suspicious for Malignancy

V ─ Malignant

Adenocarcinoma

Squamous cell carcinoma ─ well diff

Squamous cell carcinoma ─ mod to poorly diff

Neuroendocrine tumor

Small cell lung carcinoma

Large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma

Lymphoproliferative diseases

Lymphomas

Pulmonary Langerhans cell histiocytosis

Erdheim-Chester disease

Mesothelioma

Other malignancies

Infections

Herpes simplex virus

Mycobacterium

Blastomyces

Coccidiodomycosis

Paracoccidiodomycosis

Sporotrichosis

Aspergillus

Mucor

Cryptococcus neoformans

Histoplasma capsulatum

Pneumocystis Jirovecci

Strongyloides

Non-Neoplastic, Non-Infectious Diseases

Sarcoidosis

Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis

Pulmonary Amyloidosis

Pulmonary Alveolar Proteinosis

Organizing Pneumonia

Neoplastic

Adenocarcinoma

─ Cyto ─ Breast

Benign

Ductal hyperplasia

Fibroadenoma

Lactating adenoma/lactational change

Gynecomastia

Apocrine cyst

Fat necrosis

Apocrine metaplasia

Subareolar abscess

Intramammary lymph node

Malignant

Medullary Carcinoma

Ductal carcinoma

Lobular carcinoma

Colloid carcinoma

Tubular carcinoma

Adenocarcinoma

─ Cyto ─ Salivary

Normal Salivary Glands

Non-Diagnostic

Non-Neoplastic

Neoplastic Benign

Warthin tumor

Pleomorphic adenoma

Oncocytoma

Basal cell adenoma

Sialolithiasis

Acute Sialadenitis

Chronic Sialadenitis

Granulomatous Sialadenitis

Lymphoepithelial Sialadenitis

Eosinophilic Sialadenitis

Neoplastic SUMP

Suspicious for Malignancy

Malignant

Secretory carcinoma

Mucoepidermoid carcinoma

Acinic cell carcinoma

Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma

 


 

─ Cyto ─ Pancreas

Media cytology pathoutlines

Classification, Papanicolaou Society 2014

I non-diagnostic

II negative

III atypical

IV neoplastic benign or other (WD-NET)

V suspicious

VI malignant PDAC, acinar cell CA, NEC

Classification, WHO

Media WHO pathoutlines

Non-Diagnostic

micro histiocytes only

no background mucin (mucinous cyst)

no hematoidin & mixed inflm (pseudocyst)

note biochemical tests not perormed (CEA, glucose)

molecular analysis may be informative

"Non-diagnostic", reasons include:

Presence of atypia precludes this category

Preparation artefact ─ degeneration & stain precipitate

Obscuring blood

Contaminant GI epithelium

Normal pancreatic tissue in the context of a mass

Acellular in the context of a solid mass

Acellular and non-mucinous in the context of a cyst

Benign / Negative (for Malignancy)

def unequivocally benign cytopathology

note may or may not be specifically diagnostic

benign lymphangioma, serous cystadenoma

non-neoplastic chronic pancreatitis, pseudocyst, others

Atypical

def predominantly benign cytopathology

minimally malignant cytopathology

note PaN_Low, PaN_High, or malignant process

atypical cyst fluid non-thick mucin

atypical cells that cannot be distinguished from contaminants GIT with degeneration inconclusive biochemical analysis

Normal and contaminants

Benign Acinar Cells

cytology cohesive aggregates attached to FVS

~grapes on a vine

nucleus round to oval, most eccentric, some naked[1]

nucleolus prominent, bigger if reactive

chromatin evenly distributed, finely granular

cell borders indistinct

cytoplasm abundant & granular

Benign Ductal Cells

cytology cohesive flat sheets

~honeycomb

nucleus round to oval, evenly distributed

nucleolus inconspicuous

chromatin evenly distributed, finely granular

cell borders distinct

note unlike larger mesothelial cells, lack windows

Background Duodenal Mucosa

cytology honeycomb monolayer papillary groups (villi)

nonmucinous glandular cells with brush border

sporadic goblet cells ~fried eggs

scattered lymphocytes in epithelium ~sesame seeds

note common contaminant in EUS-FNA

Background Gastric Mucosa

cytology small sheets & strips gastric crypts

mucin-capped foveolar cells, no brush border

grooved naked nuclei

note common contaminant in EUS-FNA

Normal pancreatic acinar cells

High cellularity with cohesive grape-like clusters (acini) singly and in tissue fragments attached to fibrovascular stroma; single cells are few

Round, eccentric nuclei with fine chromatin and single small nucleolus, and abundant bichromatic and granular cytoplasm

Normal pancreatic ductal cells

Flat, cohesive sheets with even nuclear spacing

Round to oval nuclei, inconspicuous nucleoli and fine chromatin, and non-mucinous cytoplasm

Duodenal epithelium

Flat, monolayered honeycomb sheets

Non-mucinous columnar glandular cells with a brush border

Sporadic goblet cells

Lymphocytes ( sesame seeds ) within epithelium

Gastric epithelium

Small sheets, strips, single cells, and pits, with chief cells and parietal cells

Visible cytoplasmic mucin in the upper third of the cytoplasmic compartment (mucin cup) of foveolar cells at the edge of sheets

Naked nuclei with grooves

Mesothelium

2D sheets, with or without intercellular windows

Round to oval central nuclei, conspicuous nucleoli, and moderate cytoplasm

Hepatocytes

Polygonal with round to oval and usually central nuclei, prominent single nucleoli, and abundant cytoplasm, often with bile pigment and iron

Kidney

Benign glandular cells representing renal tubular cells and intact glomeruli

Acute pancreatitis

Cytology predominantly neutrophils

degenerated cells, fat necrosis, foamy histiocytes

calcs esp in necrotizing type

atypia of ductal cells, moderate to severe

enlarged, irregular nuclei

conspicuous nucleoli

Cholangitis

Cohesive sheets of variable size with hyperplastic changes

Mild anisonucleosis (2 3 variation)

Single epithelial cells of normal size and shape

Columnar cells with poorly defined cell cell borders with or without dense cytoplasm indicating metaplasia

Nuclei are enlarged with slight hyperchromasia; smooth and round nuclear membranes; and small, centrally located nucleoli

Inflammatory background

Key cytopathological findings that suggest cholangiocarcinoma over cholangitis include 3D tissue fragments, nuclear pleomorphism, high N:C ratio (> 0.5), nuclear membrane irregularity, hypercellularity, atypical single cells, hyperchromasia, intracytoplasmic mucous vacuoles, prominent nucleoli, nuclear moulding, and a cell population showing two distinct cell types

The difference between cholangitis and BilIN is more subtle. BilIN is typically diagnosed incidentally in surgically resected specimens of longstanding chronic cholangiopathy and does not cause biliary obstruction.

Chronic pancreatitis

Cytology cells hypocellular and bloody

benign acini splayed apart by fibrosis

Nuclei enlarged, crowded, slight anisonucleosis

prominent nucleoli

other myofibroblasts may be present

vesicular nuclei

prominent nucleoli

islet cells may be present

back fat necrosis, debris, and calcifications

 

The major differential diagnosis of localized CP is pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. Reactive ductal cells can show significant cytopathological atypia in response to CP, which overlaps with well-differentiated pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma { 27926365 }. Extensive high-grade pancreatic intraepithelial neoplasia may be present in CP and can pose a diagnostic challenge on cytopathology { 25410732 ; 20730891 ; 27889759 }. Cytopathological atypia seen in CP is almost always focal and limited to rare groups of ductal cells. Features diagnostic of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, such as single atypical cells, significant anisonucleosis > 4:1 in the same tissue fragment, nuclear membrane irregularity, and prominent macronucleoli, are rarely seen in CP { 12589645 }.

 

Islets of Langerhans may remain even in the late stages of CP. The loss of acinar tissue can lead to aggregation of islets, which can result in islet cells being prominent on FNAB, posing a diagnostic pitfall for pancreatic neuroendocrine tumour (PanNET) { 25410732 ; 21737075 }. The diagnosis of PanNET should be applied cautiously when only a small number of the islet cells are present in a background of CP. Correlation with imaging is helpful because PanNETs are clearly visible, round, enhancing mass lesions { 21548125 }. Spindle cells in fibrotic tissue may show plump vesicular nuclei, prominent nucleoli, and occasional mitoses, mimicking a spindle cell neoplasm.

Chronic Pancreatitis & Reactive Ductal Atypia

cytology cellularity low, low NC, flat cohesive sheets

nuclei enlarged, no significant variation in size

nuclei round with smooth nuclear membrane

nucleoli prominent but not macronucleoli

background inflm, fat necrosis, Ca⁺⁺

cellular stromal fragments with crush artifact (autoimmune)

abset to rare atypia & mitosis

IHC retained SMAD4/DPC4 & p16 (CDKN2A)

wt p53

note see Pancreatitis

acute pancreatitis does not form a mass so not FNA d

PSC, PBC, stents, & stones have a higher threshold[2]

Groove/paraduodenal pancreatitis

Autoimmune and IgG4-related pancreatitis

Lymphoepithelial Cyst

radio unilocular or multilocular, may be solid form debris

cytology cellularity variable

anucleate squames, abundant keratin debris

mature superficial squames

lymphocytes cholesterol crystals

note cyst fluid CEA very high

see Lymphoepithelial Cyst

Pseudocyst

Cytology dirty proteinaceous background, often with necrosis

Mixed inflammation dominated by lymphocytes and histiocytes

Hemosiderin-laden macrophages

Red blood cells, yellow-brown haematoidin-like pigment

cholesterol crystals, calcified debris, and cell debris

No epithelial component except for gastrointestinal contaminants

Rarely, fragments of granulation tissue may be present

note sx acute pancreatitis should be present

Splenule (accessory spleen)

Cytology Heterogeneous population of predominantly small lymphocytes

lesser number of larger lymphoid cells

Lymphoid cells form cohesive tissue fragments

Small sinusoidal vascular structures with admixed lymphocytes

Large platelet aggregates

No tingible-body macrophages

Serous cystadenoma

epid 2% pancreatic tumors

microcystic in older F; oligocystic in kids

radio spongy appearance of small cysts

central stellate scar

cytology cellularity sparse, in sheets or loose clusters

nuclei round, little to no atypia

chromatin evenly distributed

nucleolus inconspicuous

cytoplasm clear, finely vacuolated/granular

cell shape cuboidal, cell borders indistinct

backgrond clean or bloody

IHC (+) Glut-1 & α-inhibin

PAS+ PASD- (cytoplasmic glycogen)

mol VHL

note see Serous Cystadenoma

cyst fluid low amylase & low CEA (5 to 192)

media WSI Pap HE inhibin Glut1[3]

WSI HE PAS Glut1[4]

WSI HE PAS PASD[5]

WSI Pap[6]

WSI Pap[7]

Schwannoma

Lymphangioma

epid F >> M, wide age range

site distal pancreas

radio well-circumscribed, thin-walled, uni/multilocular

cytology non-mucinous cyst fluid[8], proteinaceous

scattered histiocytes, mature lymphocytes, no atypia

note see lymphangioma

MRI useful for excluding ductal connection

media WSI

Other rare benign neoplasms

Atypical

Loss of architectural polarity

Minor nuclear crowding

Mildly alteratered honeycomb

No true nuclear moulding

Near-normal N:C ratio

Slight nuclear membrane irregularity without marked clefting

Parachromatin clearing without other features of adenocarcinoma

Small nucleoli without macronucleoli

Minor anisonucleosis (2:1)

Clean background without necrosis, which might not be important in BDB because necrosis is not helpful in identifying malignancy in BDB {

Pancreaticobiliary neoplasm (low & high risk)

Pancreatic intraepithelial neoplasia

Low or high risk

Biliary intraepithelial neoplasia

WHO Low or high risk

 

Pancreatic intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm

WHO Low or high risk

epid 5% pancreatic tumor

cytology cellularity low

extracellular mucin variable

note see IPMN

mucinous cyst fluid thick

Intraductal papillary neoplasm of the bile duct

WHO Low or high risk

Mucinous cystic neoplasm

WHO Low or high risk

epid 5% pancreatic neoplasms

radio one or more locules, fine septa

no ductal communication

cytology LG ~gastric contaminant

mod atypia

nuclear stratification (intermediate)

HG cell size small (~12μm enterocyte)

single or in tight clusters

NC high

chromatin hyper or hypochromatic

cytoplasm vacuolated (variable)

background necrosis

malign 3D groups, marked anisonucleosis

nuclear membranes irregular

nucleoli prominent

chromatin w parachromatin clearing

background necrosis

note see Mucinous Cystic Neoplasm

resected irrespective of grade (costly surveillance)

cannot differentiate from IPMN without ovarian stroma

media WSI[9] WSI[10]

Intraductal oncocytic papillary neoplasm

WHO high risk

Intraductal tubulopapillary neoplasm

WHO high risk

Other WHO low-risk lesions (including spindle cell tumours)

WHO Low risk

Suspicious for malignancy

 

Note cases scant sampling of a well diff

rare atypical ductal cells

indwelling stents, inflammatory conditions (PBC)

Malignant


 

Cholangiocarcinoma

Key diagnostic cytopathological features

 

Loss of honeycomb pattern (drunken honeycomb)

3D architecture

Hypercellularity with two-cell population

Hypochromasia/hyperchromasia

Nuclear pleomorphism

Anisonucleosis (threefold to fourfold variability, or greater, in nuclear size in a single cell group)

Increased N:C ratio ( 0.6)

Cytoplasmic mucin

Cellular discohesion with atypical single cells

Prominent nucleoli

Enlarged nuclei

Loss of polarity

Bloody background

Flat nuclei

Cell-in-cell arrangement

Nuclear moulding

Chromatin clumping

Solid Pseudopapillary Neoplasm

cytology cellularity high, solid-cellular pattern

nucleus bean-shaped, grooved, perinuclear vacuoles

nucleolus inconspicuus

cytoplasm finely vacuolated

cell borders indistinct

vascular stalks ependymal rosettes

PASD+ hyaline globules

foam cells & necrotic debris

little pleomorphism or anisonucleosis

IHC (+) β-catenin (nuclear)

IHC (-) keratin

note see Solid Pseudopapillary Neoplasm

media WSI Pap Pap HE β-catenin[11]

Pancreatoblastoma

cytology cells syncytial groups & isolated cells

cytoplasm moderate

squamous morules

stroma primitive spindle cells

occasional heterologous elements

IHC (+) nuclear β-catenin in squamous morules

Neuroendocrine &/or acinar diff

Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma

cytology cells cellularity moderate to high

loss of polarity in sheets (drunken honeycomb)

nuclei hypochromatic with parachromatin clearing

nucleoli may be present and prominent

enlarged nuclei, irregular contours, 4:1 anisonucleosis

cytoplasm mucinous, sometimes finely vacuolated and lacy

may have a deceptively low N:C ratio

background clean background if well diff

necrotic background if high-grade

IHC SMAD4 loss, p16 loss, p53 mutant

Mol KRAS, SMAD4, CDKN2A, TP53

Note see Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma

double duct sign[12]

well-diff & foamy gland variant[13]

adenosquamous carcinoma variant

undifferentiated (anaplastic) carcinoma variant

undifferentiated carcinoma with OLGC variant

Media WSI[14]

tweet video[15] video[16]

Pancreatic Neuroendocrine Tumor

cytology cells highly cellular specimen, loosely cohesive

epithelioid or plasmacytoid

nuclei round to oval, salt-and-pepper chromatin

Smooth, dense nuclear membranes

Nucleoli may be present, occasionally prominent

cytoplasm dense, often eccentric, abundant, and granular

occasionally minimal

background clean, without necrosis

IHC (+) synaptophysin, INSM1

mol mutations in MEN1, ATRX, DAXX

mTOR alterations less common (PTEN, PI3KCA, TSC2)

DDx SPN lacks coarse chr, nuclear grooves present

acinar cell ca prominent nucleoli

granular cytoplasm

adenocarcinoma necrosis, desmoplastic stroma

PanNEC extensive necrosis

high mitotic activity

media WSI[17]

Pancreatic Neuroendocrine Carcinoma

aka PanNEC

Small cell neuroendocrine carcinoma

cytology nuclei angulated, pleomorphic

coarse chromatin

nucleoli inconspicuous

cytoplasm minimal, imperceptible

background necrosis, apoptotic bodies

mol RB1, TP53 mutations

Large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma

cyto nuclei markedly enlarged

coarsely stippled chromatin

nucleoli prominent

cytoplasm moderate to abundant, eosinophilic

IHC (+) synaptophysin, INSM1

mol RB1, TP53 mutations

Acinar cell Carcinoma

cytology cells high cellularity

many isolated cells, loose cell aggregates

nuclei enlarged, eccentric, round, & smooth

nucleolus prominent

cytoplasm granular cytoplasm

negative image of zymogen granules (Giemsa)

background naked tumor nuclei

loose granules in the background

IHC (+) BCL10, trypsin, synaptophysin (focal)

Mol APC, CTNNB1, TP53, BRAF

note see Acinar Cell Carcinoma

media WSI[18]


 

─ Cyto ─ GYN

Media automation pathoutlines

Media preparations pathoutlines

Conventional Paps Study Set

Adequacy

Note age, LMP, appropriate labelling

5K well-preserved squames on LBP

ie ThinPrep, SurePath

8-12K on conventional smears

Fewer cells in certain settings

post-menopause/atrophic

vaginal specimen/post-therapy

Transformation zone preferred, not required

Unsat if 75% obscured (blood, inflm, drying artifacts)

media video

Benign GYN Cytology

Media normal and nonneoplastic findings pathoutlines

Squamous cells

media WSI collection

Superficial

Micro pink cyto, dense nucleus

note proliferative phase, inhbited by progesterone

media Pap

Intermediate

Micro blue abundant cytoplasm

granular chromatin, nuclear groove

note secretory phase

media Pap[19]

Parabasal

Micro nuclear groove, abundant cytoplasm

granular chromatin

note postmenopause or htx

media Pap[20]

Glandular cells

media WSI collection

Endocervical glandular cells

Micro size variable but > IMC

Chromatin finely granular, evenly distributed

Nucleoli small

Ciliated cells cilia, polarized

terminal bar

Secretory cells non-ciliated, polarized

honeycomb/picket fence

media pap[21] pap[22]

atlas[23] atlas[24] atlas[25] atlas[26]

Endometrial glandular cells

Micro Chromatin dense, heterogeneous

Nucleoli not prominent, except on LBP

Cytoplasm scant, may be dense or vacuolated

Smaller than endocervical, higher NC, size ~IMC or less

Apoptotic debris due to degenerative changes

single or aggregate, spontaneous exfoliated

exodus ball w outer glandular epithelium (pap)

media pap[27] pap[28] pap[29]

Benign Reactions

media WSI collection

Reactive

Micro nuc enlargement, non-overlapping

Multinucleate, smooth contours, chr uniform

Hyperchr and nucleoli common

Cytoplasmic boundaries well defined

School of fish

media pap[30]

Repair

Micro cohesive, flat sheets, streaming appearance

large nuc w size variation, pale chr, mitoses

large nucleolus, can be mishapen

media atlas[31]

Metaplasic Squamous cells

Micro parabasal-like to intermediate cell-like

smooth nuclear contour

media pap[32] pap[33] pap[34]

atlas[35] atlas[36]

Tubal metaplasia

Micro Terminal bar, cilia in glandular groups

Often high NC, vacuolated

Media WSI

pap[37]

Atrophy

Micro monolayer of parabasal-like cells

Nuclei polarized and overlapping

Inc NC, evenly distributed chr, even contours

Background diathesis common[38]

media atlas[39] pap[40]

IUD effect

Micro vacuolated &/or small dark cells w scant cyto

Media WSI WSI WSI

atlas[41]

Keratinization

Media pap

Radiation

Micro nl nc, big cells

media atlas[42] pap[43]

Contaminants and miscellaneous

media WSI collection

Organisms

media WSI collection

HSV

Micro molding nuclei, marginated chr

ground glass nuc

eosinophlic intranuclear inclusion

Media WSI WSI WSI WSI WSI

CMV

Micro mononuclear large cells

basophilic intranuclear inclusion

smaller granular cytoplasmic inclusions

media pathoutlines

Actinomyces

Epid Actinomyces Israelli is mc subtype

Etio long term IUD use (esp copper)

Pessaries

NF of mouth, bowel, and gyn

Micro cotton ball clumps of filamentous bacteria

media pathoutlines

WSI

atlas[44]

Trichomonas

Epid mc non-viral STD in USA

Micro pear-shaped, pale, eccentric nuclei

red cytoplasmic granules; Trich Picnics

note diagnose by NAAT

often accompanied by Leptothrix

media pathoutlines

WSI WSI WSI

 

atlas[45]

Candida

Micro Psedohyphae & true hyphae

Shish-kebabs[46] with spaghetti & meatballs[47]

Media WSI

atlas [48]

Lactobacillus

Aka Bacillus vaginalis

Etio NF seen on pap smears

luteal phase cannot survive in alkaline media

menstrual flow increases pH

cytology blue thick rods seen on top of intermediate squames

lyse glycogen rich intermediate cells

cytolysis bare nl sized IMC nuclei

abundant bacterial rods

Media pathoutlines

Shift in Flora

Micro short bacilli/coccobacilli, no lactobacilli

filmy appearance, clue cells

note mc gardnerella, not always

media atlas[49]

Glycogenated squames

media pap pap[50]

Parakeratosis

media atlas[51] pap[52]

Hyperkeratosis (leukoplakia)

media atlas[53]

Follicular cervicitis

media atlas[54]

Bethesda system

Media Bethesda pathoutlines

ASC-US

Cytology Nuclei size 2.5-3 x an intermediate squamous cell s

N:C slightly increased

Hyperchromasia minimal

Contour irregularities minimal

Cytoplasm Incomplete koilocytosis

CP cells appear larger and flatter (artifact)

LBP cells appear smaller with higher N:C

Rounding up of cells

Lack of flattening on the slide

clin repeat cytology in 6-12mo or HPV testing

Media pathoutlines

WSI WSI WSI WSI WSI

Atlas[55] pap[56] pap[57] pap[58]

ASC-H

cytology cells occurring singly or in groups < 10 cells

cells are the size of metaplastic cells

nuclei nuclear size 1.5 to 2.5 x larger than normal

N:C may approximate HSIL

HPV-related changes are often not present

cytoplasm scant

ASC-H Patterns: Small cells with High N:C Ratios

aka atypical immature metaplasia

cytology cells occurring singly or in small groups < 10 cells

size of metaplastic cells

nuclei 1.5-2 x enlargement

N:C may approximate HSIL

ASC-H: Crowded sheet pattern

Cytology Typical atypical features

loss of polarity, dense cytoplasm

polygonal cell shape

fragments with sharp edge

CP cells may stream in strands of mucus

note needs immediate colposcopy

Media pathoutlines

Atlas[59] pap[60] pap[61]

LSIL

cytology cells occur singly, inclusters, and sheets

nuclei enlarged ≥ 3 x an intermediate cell s

normochromatic to hyperchromatic

binucleation or multinucleation common

mebrane contours can be smooth or irregular

chromatin evenly distributed

granular, smudgy, or opaque

koilocytosis perinuclear cavitation

sharply delineated

N:C low but slightly increased

LBP appears similar to CP

Nuclei may show less hyperchromasia

clin repeat cytology in 6-12mo or HPV testing

colposcopy if persistent

note koilocytosis without nuclear abnormalities is not LSIL

Media pathoutlines

WSI collection

WSI WSI WSI WSI WSI WSI WSI WSI

WSI WSI WSI WSI WSI WSI

LSIL Atlas[62] pap[63] pap[64] pap[65] pap[66]

HSIL

cytology cells occur singly, in sheets, or syncytial aggregates

hyperchromatic groups seen in syncytial aggregates

cells are small than LSIL cells

nuclei enlargement varies, but N:C is always high

prominent indentations/grooves

usually hyperchromatic

normochromasia and hypochromasia may occur

chromatin evenly distributed

fine or coarse

nucleoli generally absent

cytoplasm can be immature, mature (keratinizing), or metaplastic

LBP more often see dispersed single cells

Less hyperchromasia

clinical needs immediate colposcopy or biopsy

note metaplastic type located in TZ or EC

most common type

small cell type reserve cells

located in TZ or EC

keratinizing dysplasia located on portio of cervix

Media pathoutlines

WSI collection (mod)

WSI collection (severe)

WSI WSI WSI WSI WSI WSI WSI WSI WSI WSI WSI

WSI WSI WSI WSI WSI WSI WSI WSI

 

pap[67] pap[68] pap[69] pap[70] pap[71]

Glandular Lesions

Atypical glandular cells

Media pathoutlines

AGC Atlas[72] pap[73]

Atypical of Endocervical Cells NOS

Tissue sheets & strips, pseudostratified, school of fish

More rounded and 3D on LBP w piled-up layers

Cytoplasm abundant but w increased NC

Nucleus hyperchromatic, enlarged but varied size/shape

Nucleoli occasional

Chromatin mildly irregular

Media webpage

WSI WSI

Atypical of Endometrial Cells NOS

Clin Postmenopausal bleeding

HRT

Tissue 5-10 cell 3D groups, poorly defined cell borders

Nuclei enlarged, crowded

Hyperchromatic (esp on LBP)

Cytoplasm scant, often vacuolated

Nucleoli small (more prominent on LBP)

Media WSI

Carcinoma

media WSI collection[74]

Squamous cell carcinoma

Media WSI WSI

Non-keratinizing (including basaloid)

Cytology cells syncytial aggregates & single cells

cell size somewhat smaller than HSIL

Nuclei irregular contours

coarse chromatin with clearing

nucleoli may be prominent

cytoplasm indistinct cell borders, high N:C

background tumor diathesis, necrotic debris

broken down blood elements

LBP lower tumor cellularity

Cells rounded up ─ may appear glandular

Clinging diathesis

Keratinizing

Cytology cells mostly single cells, aggregates less common

Marked variation in cell size & shape, eg tadpole cells

Nuclei vary markedly

Irregular nuclear membranes

Dense opaque nuclei often present

Coarse chromatin with clearing

Macronucleoli less common[75]

Cytoplasm frequently orangeopilic and keratinized

Background tumor diathesis less common[76]

Cytoplasm Heavily keratinized, NC low to hig, keratin pearls

tadpole cells, spindle cellls

Nucleus hyperchromatic

Chromatin dense or coarse

Nucleoli uncommon, also tumor diathesis uncommon

Adenocarcinoma

Endocervical Adenocarcinoma in situ (AIS)

Tissue strips, rosettes, feathering, stratified, crowding

Cytoplasm scant, finely vacuolated, unclear borders

Nucleus NC 2:1[77], oval-long

memb smooth-irregular, notching, thickened

Chromatin coarse, evenly distributed, hyperchromatic

Nucleoli variably present

Media webpage

WSI WSI WSI WSI

Endocervical Adenocarcinoma

Cytology cells occur singly, 2D/3D clusters, or syncytial aggregates

Nuclei enlarged, pleomorphic, membrane irregularities

irregularly distributed chromatin with clearing

macronucleoli

cytoplasm finely vacuolated

background tumor diathesis common

LBP cell groups are denser and more spherical

more frequently isolated tumor cells

chromatin more vesicular

tumor diathesis clinging to the surface of groups

Media tweet webpage

Endometrial Adenocarcinoma

Cytology cells occur singly or in small tight clusters

loss of polarity

Nuclei enlargement may be mild but larger in high-grade

Hyperchromasia moderate

Irregularly distributed chromatin with clearing

cytoplasm scant, cyanophilic, often vacuolated

bag of polys ─ intracytoplasmic neutrophils

background tumor diathesis may be present, best on CP

finely granular or watery

Media WSI WSI WSI WSI WSI WSI WSI WSI WSI WSI

─ Cyto ─ Thyroid

Media FNA-general pathoutlines

molecular testing in FNA pathoutlines

ultrasound pathoutlines

Bethesda system diagnostic categories pathoutlines

adequacy pathoutlines

unsatisfactory pathoutlines

Inadequate

Criteria Cellularity < 6 groups of 10 follicular cells

Cyst fluid only

Media pathoutlines

Unsatisfactory

< 6 groups of well preserved, well stained follicular cell groups with 10 cells each

Poorly prepared, poorly stained or significantly obscured follicular cells

Cyst fluid, with or without histiocytes and < 6 groups of 10 benign follicular cells

Media pathoutlines

Benign

Criteria consists of colloid and benign follicular cells

Watery colloid

Thick colloid

Note usually nodular hyperplasia on resection

Benign

Media pathoutlines

Follicular nodular disease

AKA colloid nodule, hyperplastic nodule

adenomatous nodule, benign follicular nodule

Cytology Colloid Watery Forms folds or lacunae

Thick Has a hyaline quality

stained-glass cracking appearance

Cells monolayered, honeycomb-like

occasionally 3D but retain polarity

minimal crowding or overlapping

Nuclei monomorphic, round to oval

Slight anisonucleosis allowed

Chromatin finely granular

Nucleolus inconspicuous or absent

Cytoplasm Delicate, poorly defined cell borders

Oncocytes granular cytoplasm

Central round nucleus

Prominent nucleolus

May show large cell dysplasia

+/- hemosiderin or lipofuscin pigment

papillary hyperplasia fv cores are rare

remain in flat sheets

no PTC nuclei

MΦ, often containing hemosiderin

Reparative changes, esp if cystic[78]

 

Cystic degeneration, reparative stretched cells

Note includes colloid nodule

hyperplastic nodule, adenomatous nodule, or benign follicular

nodule

Graves disease

Cytology Cells flat sheets, loosely cohesive groups

Typically not hypercellular

Cytoplasm abundnat, foamy, delicate

Nuclei enlarged & vesicular

Nucleoli prominent

Flame cells cytoplasmic vacuoles w pink frayed edges

Lymphocytes usually not prominent

If present, grooves and chromatin clearing non diffuse

Note treated GD prominent microfollicular architecture

nuclear overlapping and crowding

considerable anisonucleosis

Thyroiditis

Lymphocytic Thyroiditis

Cytology Cells Polymorphic lymphoid cells

Benign follicular cells

Oncocytic cells

Nucleoli Prominent in oncocytic cells

Cytoplasm Granular in oncocytic cells

scant to moderate in lymphoid cells

Media WSI WSI

Granulomatous Thyroiditis

Cytology cells granulomas with multinucleated giant cells

Early many neutrophils and eos (~acute thyroiditis)

Later hypocellular

Giant cells eating colloid

Scant degenerated follicular cells

Involutional stage

Absent inflm cells and giant cells

Often insufficient for eval

Media WSI

Acute Suppurative Thyroiditis

Cytology cells few reactive follicular cells

Mostly neutrophils

Other aw necrosis, fibrin, MΦ, blood

Occasionally background bacteria or fungi

Riedel Thyroiditis

Epid rarest form of thyroiditis

Etio manifestation of IgG4-RD

Clin firm & fixed thyroid

fibrosing in other organs

cytology cells often acellular

rare inflm cells

other collagen strangs

bland spindle cellls

absent colloid & folllicular cells

Thyroglossal duct cyst

Site anterior midline, below hyoid, above thyroid isthmus

Cytology predominantly proteinaceous material & inflm cells

degenerated squamous or ciliated columnar cells

Bronchial cleft cyst

Cytology Mature squamous cells and anucleated squames

Atypia of undetermined significance

Criteria atypia insufficient for FN/OFN or SF categories

Media pathoutlines

WSI

Follicular neoplasm

Cytology Cells highly cellular, uniform follicular cellls

Microfollicle mc arrangement

flat or 3D groups

circumference < 15 cells

in circle > 2/3 complete

crowding & overlapping

Crowded groups, trabeculae

single cells infrequent

Nuclei normal size, round

Chromatin clumpy, mild hyperchromasia

Nucleoli absent or inconspicuous

Cytoplasm scant or moderate

Absent oncocytic changes

INPI, true papillae

Multinucleated cells

Potential NIFTP/FVPTC Nuclei larger

irregular contours/grooves

Chromatin clearing

Lack true papillae

Absent or very rare INPI

DDx Parathyroid GATA3, PTH, chromo, synapto, CD56+

TTF1, Tgb, calcitonin-

PTH in needle washout of FNA useful

Note cystic degeneration uncommon

Media pathoutlines

WSI

Follicular neoplasm ─ oncocytic

Cytology Cells almost exlcusively (> 75%) oncocytes

isolated cells, sheets, or crowded groups

Cytoplasm finely granular

Blue or gray-pink on Wright

Green on Pap, pink on H&E

Nucleus enlarged, eccentric, round

Binucleation common

Nucleolus prominent

Atypia small cell high N:C

Large cells 2x anisonucleosis

Sometimes Transgressing vessels

Intracytoplasmic colloid inclusions (lumens)

Absent high-grade features (necrosis, increased mitoses)

PTC nuclei (as in oncocytic PTC)

Colloid and macrofollicles

Abundant lymphs & plasma cells (excluding blood)

Mol PPARG rearrangements and BRAF V600E absent

Media pathoutlines

WSI WSI WSI WSI WSI WSI

Suspicious for malignancy

Media pathoutlines

Malignant

Media pathoutlines

Salivary neoplasms

Mucoepidermoid carcinoma

Micro cellularity depends on grade

low-grade produces abundant background mucin and macrophages due to cystic change, often with few epithelial tissue fragments

Mucinous cells have goblet cell type single large vacuoles or foamy oval regions of mucin (pink by Pap, magenta by Giemsa) and are scattered among polygonal intermediate cells in tissue fragments, as well as cohesive sheets of squamous (epidermoid) cells with denser cytoplasm and well-defined borders but lacking keratinization

High-grade carcinomas are readily identifiable as malignant due to their atypical epidermoid cells with a lesser number of interspersed goblet-type mucinous cells, more prominent nuclear pleomorphism, larger nucleoli, necrosis, and (in some cases) mitoses

Adenoid cystic carcinoma

Variably cellular

Sheets with microcysts or cribriform, tubular, or complex tissue fragments and a lesser number of single cells

Monotonous population of basaloid cells with a high N:C ratio and bland, oval to angulated nuclei with evenly dispersed dark chromatin and indistinct nucleoli

The tumour matrix is usually sharply defined, balled up or branching, thick, and pale eosinophilic to virtually non-staining (Pap) and magenta (Giemsa); in some cases it forms a rim surrounding basaloid tumour cells

Epithelial-myoepithelial carcinoma

Usually highly cellular

Two cell types, with tightly cohesive tubules or balls of basaloid epithelial cells with a high N:C ratio surrounded by larger myoepithelial cells with clear cytoplasm and oval nuclei

Loosely cohesive tissue fragments of myoepithelial cells and stripped oval nuclei in the background

Variable (but usually small) amount of eosinophilic (Pap) and magenta (Giemsa) matrix including stromal balls

Papillary Carcinoma

Cytology Cells arranged in papillae, monolayer sheets, 3D groups

Cellular swirls ( onion-skin or cartwheel )

Nuclei enlarged & crowded nuclei, often molded

Longitudinal nuclear groove

Intranuclear pseudoinclusions (INPI)

Thick nuclear membranes

Chromatin Powdery

Nucleoli macronuceoli or micronucleoli

Central or marginally placed

Other Psammoma bodies

Multinucleated giant cells

Colloid variable, may be bubble-gum like

Oncocytic or squamous metaplasia

Hobnail features, eg around psammoma bodies

Hemosiderin-lade MΦ representing cystic Δ

Variable lymphocytes, eg in underlying thyroiditis

Absent Necrotic debris is extremely rare for PTC

Mol MAPK, BRAF V600E, RAS[79]

Media WSI WSI WSI WSI WSI WSI

NIFTP

Cytology ≥ some degree of atypia present (unlike benign nodule)

Lack true papillae and psammoma bodies (unlike PTC)

Encapsulated Follicular Variant PTC and NIFTP

Cytology PTC features subtle, partial, and focally displayed

Cells low to moderate cellularity

Follicular architectural pattern

Nuclei enlargement, elongation, chromatin clearing

Thick nuclear membranes

Absent IPNIs and nuclear grooves (may be rare)

True papillae, PBs, sheet-predominant pattern

Mol RAS, or RAS-like (PPARG & THADA) (like follicular neoplasms)

RET & RET-like (BRAF V600E) absent (unlike PTC)

Follicular Variant PTC with Infiltrative Growth

Mol BRAF V600E ( BRAF -like PTCs )

Prog frequent LN mets, risk recurrence

Media WSI follicular variant

Macrofollicular Variant PTC

Epid very rare

Cytology cells monolayered sheets or variably sized follicles

Nuclei subtle and patchy PTC nuclei

Absent PBs and papillary structures

Cystic Variant PTC

Cytology cells typically small groups w irregular borders

histiocytoid (hypervacuolated)

Nuclei definitely PTC-like, but less fine chromatin

Other hemosiderin-laden MΦ

Media WSI WSI cystic variant

Oncocytic PTC

Cytology Cells predominantly oncocytic cells

Nuclei definitely PTC-like

Absent lymphocytes (or few in number)

Media WSI oncocytic variant

Warthin-Like Variant PTC

Cytology nuclei convincingly PTC nuclei

other lymphoplasmacytic background

Lymphs permaeated fibrovascular stalks

Tall Cell Variant PTC

Epid elderly patients, M > F

Criteria >30 % tall cells

Cytology nuclei PTC changes present

larger and longer

Chromatin more granular

Nucleoli prominent and central

Other fewer PBs

more INPIs (often multiple wi a nucleus)

mol BRAF V600E in vast majority

TERT promoter mutations also common

prog mc aggressive variant, bad even if only 10% tall cells

frequent extrathyroidal extension and vascular invasion

higher incidence of recurrence, neck involvement, mets

Columnar Cell Variant PTC

Epid rare variant

Cytology cells arranged in papillae, flat sheets, or clusters

pseudostratified columnar

cytoplasm supranuclear & subnuclear vacuoles

nuclei PTC changes present, but are less prominent

generally few INPI or nuclear grooves

chromatin more hyperchromatic

other ~secretory endometrium or tubular adenoma

generally lack colloid or cystic changes

ICC PAX8+, most also CDX2+

Mol BRAF V600E, TERT promoter

prog aggressive in older patients

Solid / Trabecular PTC

Epid rare variant

Criteria > 50% solid, trabecular, nested, or insular

< 50% follicles,papillae, colloid

Cytology cells syncytial 3D fragments, microfollicles, trabeculae

nuclei PTC features

absent true papillae with fibrovascular cores

mol RET, NTRK, TERT promoter

Diffuse Sclerosing PTC

Epid more common in kids and young adults

esp w hx nuclear fallout

Cytology cells mod-high cellularity

3D ball-like clusters, intermingling inflm cells

Cytoplasm dense w distinct cell borders

Unilocular cytoplasmic vacuoles common

Nuclei PTC changes present

Chromatin less pale

Fewer IPNIs and nuclear grooves

Other squamous metaplastic changes

background Numerous lymphs and PB

Absent colloid (or only scant)

Mol NCOA::RET in the setting of radiation/fallout

Prog vs. Conventional disease free survival but ~mortality

note diffuse inolvement, extensive LVI, prominent fibrosis

Hobnail Variant PTC

Epid rare variant

Cytology cells loss of polarity & cohesiveness

Nuclei eccentric

Soap bubble-like INPIs

Typical PTC features present

Cytoplasm tapered, comet- or teat drop-like

Mol BRAF V600E in vast majority

Prog aggresive PTC subtype

Medullary Carcinoma

Cytology cells moderate to high cellularity

Non-cohesive cells and syncytial aggregates

Nuclei round to elongated, eccentric

Coarsely granular chromatin ( salt and pepper )

Binucleation common

INPIs uncommon

Nucleoli mostly inconspicuous

Cytoplasm granular, quantity variable

May have vacuoles, melanin, and lumina

Other dense amyloid resembling thick colloid

Absent nuclear grooves

ICC calcitonin+, CEA+, TTF1+, synapto+, chromo+

PAX8-, Tgb-

Cellular, discohesive, plasmacytoid

polygonal to spindled

Salt and pepper chromatin

Mol RET, eg MEN2A and MEN2B

Media WSI WSI WSI WSI WSI WSI

Anaplastic Carcinoma

Epid > 50 yo, female

Clin hard, nodular, rapidly growing mass

Symptoms from neck compression

Lymphadenopathy and distant mets, mc lungs

History of long-standing goiter and euthyroid

Cytology cells variable cellularity, usually at least moderate

Eouthelioid and/or spindle-shaped

Small to giant, can be plasmacytoid or rhabdoid

Nuclei enlarged, irregular, extreme pleomorphism

Chromatin clumped with parachromatin clearing

Nucleoli prominent and irregular

Other abscess-like neutrophil predominant inflm

ICC PAX8 & keratin+ (can be focal)

TTF1-, Tgb-

Mol TP53, CTNBB1, RAS, BRAF V600E, TERT promoter

Papillary Hyperplastic Nodule

Clin < 3 cm, solitary, teenage F, +/-hyperfunctioning

Cytology partly cystic, darker nuclei than PTC

Media video segment

WSI WSI

Lymphoma

Cytology Cells marked cellularity, non-cohesive

background lymphglandular bodies

Absent oncocytes, follicular epithelial cells, plasma cells

MZL cells 2x mature lymphocyte

nuclei vesicular chromatin, small nucleoli

DLBCL nuclei coarse chromatin, prominent nucleoli

Cytoplasm abundant, basophilic

Bethesda

I Unsat Repeat FNA

II Benign < 5 % Clin fu

III AUS/FLUS < 10-30 % Repeat vs Mol

IV Follicular Neo < 25-40 % Lobectomy

V Suspicious < 60-75 % Thyroidectomy

VI Malignant 100% Thyroidectomy

Media Benign video

Atypia video

Follicular video

Other Tumors

Cribriform morular thyroid carcinoma

Cytology Cells papillary-like formations

Background spindle cells

Background histiocytes

Nuclei hyperchromatic, pseudostratified

INPIs, nuclear grooces, few other PTC features

Other eddy formation (morules)

Absent colloid, PBs, multinucleate giant cells

ICC TTF1+, nuclear β-catenin+

Tgb-, PAX8- or weak

Mol Wnt/β-catenin

Hyalinizing trabecular tumor

Epid rare thyroid tumor, vast majority women

Cytology cells round or spindle shaped

Radiating from hyaline core

Nuclei numerous INPIs & nuclear grooves

Cytoplasm abundant, eosinophilic or amphophilic

Other occasional PBs

Cytoplasmic paranuclear yellow bodies

Absent papillary, sheet-like fragments

ICC TTF-1+, Tgb+, membranous MIB1/Ki-67

Calcitonin-

Mol GLIS rearranged

 

High-Grade Follicular Cell-Derived Non-Anaplastic Thyroid Carcinoma

Aka poorly diff thyroid carcinoma

─ Cyto ─ Serous fluids

Types of cells

Benign Mesothelial cells

Cytology Cells flat sheets, usually do not cluster in 3D

Microvilli form intercellular space ─ window

Cytoplasmic arms hugging adjacent cells

Nuclei round with vesicular chromatin

Low N:C, smooth contour

Nucleoli prominent or inconspicuous

Cytoplasm abundant, dense

Two-tone, denze perinuclear zone

Reactive mesothelial cells

Cytology nuclei marked atypia, enlargement, variation

Prominent nucleoli

N:C in the normal range

Binucleation and multinucleation common

Can be knobbly, forming daisy cells

May form 3D clusters containing < 50 cells

May show signet-rings mesothelial nuclear features

non-foamy vacuoles

Note seen in cancer patients on rtx/ctx, esp for lung/breast

Histiocytes

Cytology granular or vacuolated cytoplasm

Agggregates or isolated cells

IHC CD68, CD163

Types of Effusions

Transudative Effusions

Etio imbalance in hydostatic and oncotic pressure

Clin CHF, cirrhosis, nephrotic syndrome, atelectasis

Hypoalbuminemia, peritoneal dialysis

Criteria < 0.5 PF:serum protein ratio

< 0.6 PF:serum LDH ratio

PF LDH < 2/3 ULN in serum

Note low specific gravity, low fluid protein, low LDH

Exudative Effusions

Etio injury to mesothelium, eg by inflm or malignancy

Clin connective tissue disease, pneumonia

Pancreatitis, sarcoidosis, chylothorax

Malignancy

Criteria > 0.5 PF:serum protein ratio

> 0.6 PF:serum LDH ratio

PF LDH > 2/3 ULN in serum

Note high specific gravity, high fluid protein, high LDH

Lymphocytic Effusions

Etio chronic inflammation, TB, chylous effusion

Lymphoma or non-lymphoid malignancy

DDx LPD monomorphic small lymphocytes

Atypica lymphoid cells

Note a few lymphocytes in a chronic effusion is common

Reactive if mostly CD3+ T cells w scattered CD20+ B cells

Neutrophilic effusions

Etio bacterial pneumonia, TB, chest surgery, lung abscess

Criteria exudative with predominance of neutrophils

Fluid grossly purulent

Note may occur in the context of malignancy

Eosinophilic Effusions

Etio idiopathic mc

Pneumothorax, hypersensitivity reaction

Parasitic infection, prior procedure

Criteria abundant eosinophils ( > 10 % cellularity)

Note rarely associated with malignancy

Chylous effusion

Etio fatty leakage from thoracic duct

Often caused by lymphoma

Criteria rich in triglycerides and chylomicrons

Mostly lymphocytes

Lipophages and mesothelial cells

Tuberculous effusions

Cytology abundant T lymphocytes, absent mesothelial cells

Clumps of exudated fibrin and trapped cells

Rheumatoid effusion

Aka Rheumatoid pleuritis

Cytology multinucleated giant cells

elongated histiocytes

Granular and necrotic debris

DDx low grade lymphoma

Systemic Lupus Erythematous

Aka SLE

Cytology LE cells neutrophil or macrophage

Contains hematoxylin body[80]

Benign entities

Collagen balls

Epid seen in women only

Site pelvic washings and peritoneal washing specimens

Clin non-specific finding

Cytology fragments of collagen mixed w mesothelial cells

Smooth contours

Endometriosis

Cytology endometrial epithelial and stromal cells in sheets

Hemosiderin-laden histiocytes

Endosalpingiosis

Cytology cuboidal-columnar ciliated epithelial cells

Smooth nuclear membrane, fine chromatin

small clusters or branching tubular structures

International System

Media pathoutlines

Non-Diagnostic

Criteria volume < 50ml not be sufficient to exclude malignancy

cellularity degree for inadequate not defined

Quality poor cell preservation, artifact

Hemorrhage, contaminants

Note report should explain why it is inadequate

Negative for malignancy

Criteria Benign cellular and noncellular findings

prog 21% risk of malignancy

Note constitutes majority of samples

Atypia of unknown significance

Criteria insufficient criteria for malignancy

Prog 66% risk of malignancy

Note category should be avoided

May be used while awaiting ancillary studies

Suspicious for malignancy

Criteria features suspicious but not definitive

Clin established malignancy in most pt

Prog 82% risk of malignancy

Note presence of second population (non mesothelial)

Malignant

Adenocarcinoma

Cytology 3D clusters, smooth borders, lack intercellualr windows

nuclear enlargement, coarse chromatin

prominent nucleoli, nuclear overlap and irregularity

numerous cytoplasmic vacuoles

lacunae around tumor cell clusters (cell block)

colorectal dirty necrosis

overt cytoplasmic vacuolization

ductal breast cannonball 3D clusters

pearl form or cell-in-cell arrangement

Lobular breast intracytoplasmic lumina

dispersed individual plasmacytoid cells

Magenta bodies ─ intracytoplasmic vacuoles

Cells smaller than other adenocas

Lack marked atypia or pleomorphism

gastric signet-ring foamy vacuoles

poor vacuolar borders

pancreas marked anisonucleosis

chromatin coarse, nucleoli prominent

cytoplasm granular to vacuolated

lung community border (smooth border)

nuclei hyperchromatic, eccentric

cytoplasm scant to abundnat, vacuolated

media WSI gastric signet ring cell adenoca

WSI lobular carcinoma (breast primary)

Papillary thyroid carcinoma

Cytology abundant papillae

Nuclei enlarged, overlpping, intranuclear grooves

Pseudoinclusions

IHC (+) TTF1, napsin A, Tgb, PAX8

Epithelial marker MOC31, CEA, BerEP4

Small cell carcinoma

cytology cells 3D hyperchromatic clusters

small chains, or isolated cells

nuclei nuclear molding, crowding

Chromatin salt-and-pepper

Nuceoli inconspicuous

cytoplasm scant

paranuclear blue bodies

IHC (+) synaptophysin, CD56, INSM1

IHC (-) chromogranin

DDx poorly diff adenocarcinoma

lymphoma

Merkel cell carcinoma

note frequent mitoses, necrosis, apoptotic bodies

"blue strips" from crush artifact

small cell variant 2 3 times WBC size

large cell variant can be larger

media WSI small cell lung carcinoma

Squamous cell carcinoma

Cytology Cell clusters loosely formed

Syncytial sheets or singly scattered

Intercellular window absent

Nuclei large or pyknotic

Nucleoli may be prominent

Chromatin smudgy

Cytoplasm dense, elongated, often two-toned[81]

Intercellular bridges

IHC (+) CK5/6, p40, p63

IHC (-) napsin-A, TTF-1

 

DDx Poorly diff adenocarcinoma

Primary Effusion Lymphoma

Epid HIV patients

Etio HHV8, often co-infected with EBV

Cytology larger hyperchromatic round nuclei w nucleoli

Varying amounts of cytoplasm

Melanoma

Cytology Loose clusters, singly scattered large cells

Nuclei eccentrically located

Nuclear pseudoinclusions

Nucleoli large and prominent

Cytoplasmic melanin

Mirror image binucleation

IHC (+) SOX10, S100, HMB45, melanin A

Ovarian Serous Carcinoma

cytology cells papillary clusters w fibrovascular cores

nuclei large, round to ovoid

coarse chromatin, prominent macronucleoli

cytoplasm scant, vacuolization,

occasional psammoma bodies

IHC (+) PAX8, PAX2, WT1, p53 anl

DDx reactive mesothelial cells PAX8-, PAX2-, BerEP4-

Media WSI ovarian serous carcinoma

Metastatic Urothelial Carcinoma

cytology cells tumor clusters or sheets

squamoid appearance

nuclei pleomorphic, hyperchromatic

coarse granular chromatin

prominent small nucleoli

cytoplasm dense, distinct cell border

IHC (+) GATA3, PAX8

IHC (-) p40

DDx SCC p40+, GATA3-, PAX8-

Mesothelioma

Clin effusion described as honey like

Cytology Clusters of 20- 50 cells with scalloping borders

Intercellular window present

Nuclei hyperchromatic

Chromatin coarse

Nucleoli prominent

Cytoplasm vacuolated

psammoma bodies

IHC (+) PanCK, D2-40/podoplanin, calretinin

IHC (-) BAP1, MTAP

Mol CDKN2A deletion (p16)

Media WSI Mesothelioma

WSI WSIMesothelioma, epithelioid type

Lymphoma

Media WSI ALCL, ALK-positive

WSI WSIBurkitt lymphoma

WSI mantle cell lymphoma

WSI PTLD, DLBCL type.

Leiomyosarcoma

cytology cells pleomorphic malignant spindle cells

loosely cohesive groups

nuclei cigar-shaped, hyperchromatic

irregular membranes

cytoplasm abundant, elongated

eosinophilic with fibrillary appearance

numerous mitotic figures

inflammatory cells and necrotic debris

IHC (+) SMA, desmin, myogenin

Note

Epithelioid Angiosarcoma

cytology cells isolated large epithelioid cells

occasional papillary groups

nuclei hyperchromatic, coarse chromatin

irregular nuclear membranes

prominent nucleoli

cytoplasm may be vacuolated

IHC (+) CD31 positive in nearly 100%, more specific than CD34, cytokeratin positive in ~50%

DDx metastatic carcinoma distinguishing feature here

epithelioid mesothelioma distinguishing feature here

note specimen often bloody, CD31 preferred marker for specificity

Other malignancies

Media WSI clear cell sarcoma

WSI WSIEpithelioid hemangioendothelioma

WSI Ewing Sarcoma

WSI glioblastoma

WSI Merkel cell carcinoma

WSI WSIMultiple myeloma.

WSI oncocytic carcinoma, thyroid primary

WSI ovarian clear cell carcinoma

WSI papillary thyroid carcinoma

WSI SMARCB1/INI1-deficient neoplasm

WSI thymic carcinoma

 

─ Cyto ─ Respiratory

Cells

Respiratory columnar cells

Cytology Cilia with terminal bar

Note uncommon in exfoliated material

May originate in nasal cavity / nasopharynx

Goblet cells

Cytology wider than ciliated cells

Basal nucleus with distended supranuclear cytoplasm

Mucinous vacuoles

Note less predominant than ciliated columnar cells

Goblet cell hyperplasia seen in asthma

Basal or reserve cells

IHC (+) p40 useful internal control

Macrophages

Note presence confirms origin from alveoli

Squamous cells

Note in LRT represent reactive and metaplastic change

 

Collection methods

Sputum

Clin used to diagnose LRT infections, diffuse ILD

Adequacy need sufficient volume for at least 2 smears

need abundant alveolar macrophages

Broncheoalveolar lavage

Adequacy > 10 alveolar MΦ per 2mm2 (~20 per 10HPF)

Bronchial brushing and bronchial washing

Adequacy large number of ciliated columnar epithelial cells

Goblet cells, macrophages

Atypical or malignant cells

FNA

Adequacy presence of cyto features to explain clinical findings

I Insufficient / Inadequate / Non-diagnostic

Criteria preparation artifact precludes eval

Excess blood or mucus obscures cells

Normal in the setting of masss/lesions

Sputum samples needs alveolar macrophages

Clin no useful info

Note any degree of atypia precludes this category

High risk of malignancy ~40%

Media pathoutlines

II Benign

Criteria normal in the absence of mass

Presence of cilia

Note Sample Adequacy Criteria

adequate material to evaluate / define a lesion

Inflammatoryxs acute inflammation

pneumonia, abscess

Granulomatous sarcoidosis vs infection

Pulmonary infarction

Nodular amyloidosis

Viral pneumonia

Neoplasm Pulmonary hamartoma

Sclerosing pneumocytoma

Granular cell tumor

Media pathoutlines

Granular cell tumor

Cytology densely granular cytoplasm

bland polygonal cells

Media WSI

Pulmonary alveolar proteinosis

Etio impaired surfactant clearance by alveolar MΦ

mtn in surfactant protein or GM-CSF receptor gene

cytology globules of amorphous or fibrillar PAS+ casts

in background and wi macrophages

media pathoutlines

WSI

Lipoid pneumonia

Etio exogenous aspirated lipids (mineral oil, vaping)

Endogenous lung tissue / membrane breakdown

Cytology lipid droplets highlighted wih oil red O or sudan black

Note Usually incidental post mortem finding

Media pathoutlines

case

Pulmonary Hamartoma

Cytology Fibrillary myxoid stroma with bland spindle cel

Possible fragments of hyaline cartilage or adipose

Sheets of bland bronchiolar epithelium

Bronchiolar epithelium

Intranuclear cytoplasmic pseudoinclusions

Mol HMGI alterations

Media pathoutlines

WSI

WSI Pulmonary adenofibroma

Sclerosing Pneumocytoma

Cytology bland pneumocytes and spindle cells

cells form sheets and papillae

pneumocytes may be enlarged and atypical

intranuclear pseudoinclusions

stromal spindle elements in cores of pneumocytes

Solitary tracheobronchial papilloma

Cytology squamous scattered squamous cells

some anucleate

keratinizing and non-keratinizing

background inflammatory

background keratinous debris

no cellular debris or tumor necrosis

koilocytic atypia, rarely dysplastic

glandular enlarged ciliated columnar cells

singly scattered

Bronchial cell hyperplasia

Aka creola body

Cytology tissue fragments of columnar cells

palisading of peripheral cells

cilia present, N:C normal

nuclei oval, relatively uniform, +/- nucleoli

Basal cell hyperplasia / Reserve cell hyperplasia

Cytology cohesive sheets, small uniform cells

scant cytoplasm, high N:C

nuclei round, even chromatin, no nucleoli

may show maDturation toward columnar cells

background clean

note Normally firmly adhered to basement membrane

Rarely seen in sputum

Instrumentation causes forceful detachment

Reactive bronchial epithelium, repair and regeneration

Cytology Papillary tissue fragments, 3D or cohesive sheets

Large polygonal cells with abundant cytoplasm

Cilia may be lost

Nuclei enlarged and oval, smooth nuclear membrane , macronucleolus

Type 2 pneumocyte hyperplasia

Cytology reactive cells

seen individually, sheets, or in rosette-like clusters

Some large nuclei with large nucleoli

Cytoplasm may be vacuolated

Squamous metaplasia

Cytology Sheets and single cells

Round to slightly irregular nuclei

Variable to high N:C ratio

Variable chromatin, occasional nucleoli

Dense eosinophilic cytoplasm with some keratinization

Note only considered as precursor if atypical

Cytopathic changes in viral infection

Cytology CMV large cells with large round to oval nuclei

single large intranuclear viral inclusion

chromatinic rimming, an owl-eye appearance

basal cytoplasmic inclusions

HSV inclusion filling the entire nucleus

frayed nuclear envelope

dark degenerative nuclear inclusion bodies

often multinucleated giant cells

Adeno smudge cells, mild cellular enlargement

smudged nonpunctate chromatin

aw detached ciliary tufts (ciliocytophthoria)

Chemotherapy- and radiotherapy-related changes

Cytology squamous and respiratory epithelium affected

Enlarged cells with vacuolated cytoplasm,

smudged chromatin, large nucleoli

Squamous metaplasia

Enlargement of type 2 pneumocytes

Note Chemotherapy appear wi a few weeks

resolve wi a month or two

Radiation acute changes appear wi 6 mo

chronic changes persist for years

Curschmann s Spirals

Etio inspisated mucous, often seen in asthmatics

Cytology spiral-shaped mucus plugs

Note can be stretched up to 2cm

III ─ Atypical

crtieria inflammatory or infective changes

changes in radiation therapy or chemotherapy

changes that cannot be distinguished from neoplasm

often scant cells with some cells showing atypia

background often suggestive of neoplasm

necrotic or keratinous debris, thick mucin, or apoptotic cells

IV ─ Suspicious for Malignancy

criteria some features suggestive, insufficient number / quality

"bridging" of "atypical" and positive for malignancy

Note Interobserver variability is high

V ─ Malignant

Def unequivocal cytopathological features of malignancy

Media pathoutlines

Adenocarcinoma

Cytology 3D aggregates spheres and papillae

Flat sheets manifest acini and glands

Cytoplasm granular, finely vacuolated

large vacuoles may indent nuclei

mucin present

Nuclei solitary, eccentrically situated

slightly irregular membranes

finely granular chromatin

well developed nucleoli

lepidic may show intranuclear pseudoinclusions

may show nuclear grooves

micropapillary lack fibrovascular core

mucinous milder pleomorphism

drunken honeycomb

abundnant mucin

Media WSI Primary mucinous

WSI with EGFR mutation

Squamous cell carcinoma ─ well diff

Cytology Cellularity high

Nuclei central, large, angular, clumped chromatin

Pyknotic in keratinized cells

Nucleoli prominent

Cytoplasm orange (pap) in single keratinized cells

blue (giemsa) in single keratinized cells

Background necrotic debris

Relatively cohesive tissue fragments w keratin pearls

Background dirty due to central necrosis/cavitation

granulomatous and acute inflammation

note not possible to distinguished from metastatic

Squamous cell carcinoma ─ mod to poorly diff

Cytology High cellularity

Background necrotic debris

Nucleoli prominent

More cohesive tissue fragments, often flat sheets or 3D

Elongate cells w dense cytoplasm wo keratinization

Basaloid predominantly cohesive sheets

Palisading nuclei at the margin

note not possible to distinguished from metastatic

Cytology Single cells and flat sheets

Well defined membranes

Keratinization present

Cytoplasm polygonal, oval, irregular shapes

Nuclei oval to rectangular contours

centrally localized

coarse to pyknotic

hyperchromatic chromatin

nucleoli high grade

ICC at least one SCC marker+ and TTF1-

DDx NUT carcinoma[82]

Adenoid cystic carcinoma[83]

Neuroendocrine tumor

Epid 50s, may arise in adolescence

Etio not related to smoking

Site central > peripheral

Clin hormonal or paraneoplastic symptoms not common

Imaging central well-defined round nodule

endobronchial or peribronchial

Peripheral sharply circumscribed nodule

intraparenchymal

Cytology cellularity high

Cells uniform and round but occasionally spindled

Nuclei monotonous, round, smooth contours

Salt and pepper (pap)

Nucleoli small and inconspicuous

Cytoplasm moderate, finely granular

eccentric but can be central (giemsa)

eosinophilic (HE), grey-blue (pap), magenta (giemsa)

arch Stripped, branching, fibrovascular strands

may have attached cells

pseudorosettes common

Mol no clinical role for testing (no actionable targets)

Note Typical < 2 mits/2mm without necrosis

Atypical 2-10 mits or with necrosis (usually focal)

mitotic counts not validated procedure for cyto

rarely seen in sputum where cells are dyshesive

Media WSI

Small cell lung carcinoma

Aka SCLC

Etio related to smoking

May arise w TKI resistance in NSCLC

Clin advanced presentation w mets

Malignant effusions, paraneoplastic syndromes

Mets mc brain, liver bone, adrenal

Cytology cells 2-3x size of lymphocyte

Cytoplasm usually scant

Nuclei angulated, moudling (giemsa)

Granular chromatin (pap)

Chromatin may be smeared

May have significant crush artifact

Nucleoli occasional but small

arch crowded, irregular tissue fragments

Discohesive single cells as well as small groups

Background necrotic

IHC (+) NE markers, TTF1, anl p53, high Ki67

Cam5.2 rim and dot-like pattern

IHC (-) HMWCK, p40, p63, CD45, Napsin A

Mol RB1 inactivation and TP53 mtn ubiquitous

DDx Basaloid SCC

Carcinoid[84]

LCNEC[85]

Lymphoma[86]

Metastasis

Media WSI

Large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma

Site peripheral, rarely inolving main airway

Most inoperable at diagnosis

Image irregular tumor borders

expansive growth in peripheral lung

common to have mediastinal lymphadenopathy

Cytology cells size > 3 lymphocytes

Cytoplasm moderate to abundant

Nuclei subtle moulding, if present

Chromatin can be granular or coarse

Nucleoli large or inconspicuous

May show perinucleolar clearing

Background prominent necrosis

Lymphoproliferative diseases

Lymphomas

Pulmonary Langerhans cell histiocytosis

Cytology Langerhans cells cleaved/convoluted nuclei

fine chromatin

long cytoplasmic processes

Charcot leydin crystals

Background eosinophil

IHC(+) CD1a, S100

Erdheim-Chester disease

Mesothelioma

Media WSI epithelioid

Other malignancies

Thymoma

Media WSI type A

Salivary gland-type carcinomas

Media WSI Adenoid cystic carcinoma

Adenosquamous carcinoma

Pleomorphic carcinoma

Pulmonary blastoma

Carcinosarcoma

NUT carcinoma

Thoracic SMARCA4-deficient undifferentiated tumour

Spindle cell tumors

Solitary fibrous tumor

Media WSI

Paraganglioma

Diffuse pleural mesothelioma

Primary germ cell tumours of the mediastinum

Primary angiosarcoma of the lung

Pulmonary and thoracic metastases

Media WSI Metastatic adenoid cystic carcinoma

WSI Metastatic adenoid cystic carcinoma

WSI Metastatic adenoid cystic carcinoma

WSI Metastatic adenoid cystic carcinoma

WSI Metastatic anaplastic meningioma

WSI Metastatic chordoma

WSI Metastatic colorectal adenocarcinoma

WSI Metastatic endometrial clear cell carcinoma

WSI Metastatic meningioma

WSI Metastatic angiosarcoma

WSI Metastatic small cell carcinoma

WSI Metastatic renal cell carcinoma ─ clear cell type

WSI Metastatic urachal adenocarcinoma ─ enteric type

WSI Metastatic prostatic adenocarcinoma

WSI Metastatic triple-negative breast carcinoma

WSI Metastatic pleomorphic adenoma

WSI Metastatic urothelial carcinoma

WSI Metastatic Melanoma

 

Infections

Herpes simplex virus

Media WSI WSI

 

Mycobacterium

Media WSI

Blastomyces

Cytology thick-walled yeast forms

Broad based budding

Media pathoutlines

Coccidiodomycosis

Cytology round endospores contained wi large spherules

Spheules 100μm, endospores 20μm

Spherules have a crushed appearance

Paracoccidiodomycosis

aka South American blastomycosis

site lungs & mucocutaneous sites

epid mc mycosis in Latin America

can affect healthy pt

clin resembles TB

cytology GMC ship's wheel[87]

Sporotrichosis

Site lung uncommon

Cytology yeasts resemble Cryptococcus, Histoplasma, Candida

culture/molecular needed for dx

Aspergillus

Trans spore inhalation

Clin normal host no sequelae

Cavitary lung dz aspergilloma

Asthma/CF ABPA[88]

Immunocompromised invasive aspergillosis

cytology narrow (2-4μm) septate hyphae

acute angle branching

Media WSI With Charcot Leiden crystals

WSI with adenocarcinoma

WSI WSI WSI WSI

Mucor

Cytology broad (7-20μm) ribbon-like aseptate hyphae

Haphazard wide angle branching

Media pathoutlines

Cryptococcus neoformans

cytology variably sized yeasts with narrow-based budding

Mucicarmine highlights thick mucoid capsule

Media WSI WSI WSI WSI

Histoplasma capsulatum

cytology clusters of small (2-4μm) oval yeasts within MΦ

Narrow based budding

Pneumocystis Jirovecci

Clin immunocompromised, esp HIV/AIDS

Micro alveolar casts of foamy exudate

GMS Cup-shaped cysts

prominent central dot

does not have budding

Cysts ~RBC size

Media WSI Pap GMS

Strongyloides

Epid immunocompetent < immunodeficiant

Site GI or skin then hematogenously to lung

Cytology notched tail, short buccal cavity

Non-Neoplastic, Non-Infectious Diseases

Sarcoidosis

Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis

Pulmonary Amyloidosis

Pulmonary Alveolar Proteinosis

Etio impaired surfactant clearance

Immunodeficiency, autoimmune, exposures

Radio crazy paving pattern

Cytology large, acellular, eosinophilic, proteinaceous blobs

Pulmonary MΦ filled w PAS+ material

Organizing Pneumonia

Cytology masson bodies, pulmonary MΦ hemosiderin

Spindled fibroblasts embedded in collagen

Reactive pneumocytes

Neoplastic

Adenocarcinoma

─ Cyto ─ Breast

Benign

Ductal hyperplasia

Cytology Hypercellular, 3D fragments

Variable cellular dyshesion

2nd cell population (ME cells)

Cells display polarity & streaming

Fibroadenoma

Cytology staghorn epithelial clusters

Naked bipolar cells in background

Metachromatic stroma

Background bipolar naked nuclei of ME cells

Media WSI WSI WSI

Lactating adenoma/lactational change

Etio hormonal stimulation during pregnancy or lactation

Cytology Hypercellular

Fragile lipid-rich cytoplasm so nuclei are often stripped

Prominent nucleoli

ductal cells w prominent nucleolus

vacuoles wi cytoplasm and background

Gynecomastia

Def enlargement of male breast

secondary to stromal and ductal proliferation

clin majority of male breast lesions undergoing FNA

Apocrine cyst

Media WSI WSI

Fat necrosis

Media WSI

Apocrine metaplasia

Cytology hypercellular, dyshesive cells

No ME population

Note need extreme atypia for carcinoma w apocrine diff

Subareolar abscess

Aka Zuska s disease

Etio smoking-related SMOLD

Cytology wall to wall PMNs

Keratinaceous debris

scattered squamous cells, some anucleate

histiocytes, multinucleated foreign body giant cells

Intramammary lymph node

Cytology hypercellular, dyshesive cells

lymphoglandular bodies

tingible-body macrophages

Malignant

Media WSI WSI Adenocarcinoma

 

Medullary Carcinoma

Media WSI

Ductal carcinoma

Media WSI WSI WSI WSI WSI WSI WSI

Lobular carcinoma

Micro Hypocellularity secondary to associated fibrosis

Small tumor cell size

Nucleus membrane irregularity, coarse chromatin

Intracytoplasmic lumen (mucin)

Note Accounts for most false-negative breast FNAs

Colloid carcinoma

Cytology hypercellular

large amounts of mucin in background

cytologically-bland cells in mucin

lacking 2nd cell (ME) population

mucin best seen on air-dried, Diff-Quik stained smears

Tubular carcinoma

Cytology Generally cellular

tightly-cohesive tissue fragments

minimal nuclear atypia

fragments display bent configurations ("teardrop")

no ME population

Adenocarcinoma

atypia not required

dyscohesion

lack of myoepithelial cells

hypercellular

 

False positives

tubular adenoma

lactating adenoma and lactational change

papilloma

 

Fale negatives

sclerotic leions

lobular carcinoma

well-differentiated carcinoma (tubular carcinoma)

 

Ductal hyperplasia

 

Hypercellular specimen

Densely-cellular, 3-dimensional fragments

Variable cellular dyshesion

Fragments should contain 2nd cell population (ME cells), visible in alcohol-fixed material

Cells within fragments display polarity and streaming

 

 

Fibroadenoma

 

Classic FNA findings

Complex branching fragments of ductal epithelium ("antler horns")

Naked bipolar cells in smear background

Metachromatic stroma

Pitfalls

Hypercellularity and architectural complexity within fragments in cases with ductal hyperplasia

Cellular dyshesion in cases with ductal proliferation

Follow-up

Most cases will undergo elective excision

Correlation with histology valuable in hypercellular cases

 

 

Lactating adenoma/lactational change

 

Hypercellular specimen

May contain numerous loosely-cohesive tissue fragments and intact single cells

Ductal cells with single prominent nucleolus

Numerous vacuoles (fat) within cytoplasm and in smear background (air-dried Diff-Quik)

Diagnostic threshold for malignancy in FNA of pregnant/lactating patient?

 

 

 

 

Lobular carcinoma

 

10-20% of breast carcinomas

Accounts for 75% of false-negative breast FNAs

Hypocellularity (secondary to associated fibrosis)

Small tumor cell size

 

High-power examination of single tumor cells often reveals

Nuclear membrane irregularity

Coarse chromatin pattern

Intracytoplasmic lumen (mucin)

 

 

 

Colloid carcinoma

 

Generally hypercellular aspirate

Large amounts of mucin in smear background

Small fragments of cytologically-bland cells in mucin lacking 2nd cell (ME) population

Mucin best seen on air-dried, Diff-Quik stained smears

 

 

Tubular carcinoma

 

Generally cellular aspirates

Tightly-cohesive tissue fragments with minimal nuclear atypia

Fragments display sharp, angulated, bent configurations ("teardrop")

Fragments uniformly lack 2nd cell (ME) population

 

Gynecomastia

 

Defined as "enlargement of male breast secondary to stromal and ductal proliferation"

 

Clinical presentation

Bilateral (25%, hormone-related)

Unilateral (75%, drug-related or idiopathic)

 

25% of cases regress spontaneously

Accounts for vast majority of male breast lesions undergoing FNA and excision

 

I. Extensive apocrine metaplasia

 

May be extremely proliferative & cellular in FNA of benign lesions (FCC)

May display dyshesion/single cells

Fragments will not display 2nd cell population

Demand extreme cellularity and nuclear atypia prior to diagnosis of carcinoma in presence of apocrine differentiation

 

II. Intramammary lymph node

 

Will yield hypercellular, dyshesive population of cells

False positive diagnosis of lobular carcinoma possible

Diff-Quik stain valuable

Search for lymphoglandular bodies and tingible-body macrophages

 

 

Media pathoutlines

─ Cyto ─ Salivary

Normal Salivary Glands

Non-Diagnostic

Criteria insufficient lesional cellls (ideally > 60)

Artifacts (air drying, obscuring blood, poor staining)

Normal gland elements only in the setting of a mass

Non-mucinous cyst fluid wo an epithelia component

Necrotic debris, deveoid of epithellial or inflm cells

Note presence of atypia excludes this category

Mucinous cyst fluid wo epithelial component is AUS

suggestive matrix wo cells is not non-diagnostic

Media pathoutlines

Milan System Atlas

Non-Neoplastic

Media pathoutlines

Milan System Atlas

WSI WSI WSI Abundant amylase crystalloids

Sialolithiasis

Etio Ca phosphate and Ca carbonate stones

Epid extremely rare in kids

Site mc submandubular gland (Wharton s duct)

Parotid gland (Stensen s duct)

Cytology cells hypocellular

metaplastic squames

ciliated or mucinous cells

other admixed stones, coarse calcification

inflammed mucoid background

Absent acinar cells (or scant)

DDx MEC

Acute Sialadenitis

Etio suppurative S aures, Step species

Nonsuppurative viral infections

Epid suppurative adults

Nonsuppurative kids

Site parotid mc

Clin painful

Cytology cells abundant neutrophils, histiocytes

Other necroinflammatory debris (suppurative)

Granulation tissue in later stages

DDX infarcted oncocytic neoplasm

Tumor diathesis in high grade cancer

Chronic Sialadenitis

Etio duct obstruction

Bulimia, trauma, autoimmune, radiation

IgG4-related disease

Site submandibular

Cytology cells hypocellular, small groups of ductal cells

other mild chronic inflammation

fibrotic stromal components

amylase crysalloids, non-birefringent

absent acinar cells (or scant)

DDx basaloid neoplasm more cellular, 3D groups

Granulomatous Sialadenitis

etio response to extravasated ductal contents

infectious mycobacterial, actinomycosis

sarcoid

cytology cells scant acinar, ductal cells, groups of histiocytes

Lymphoepithelial Sialadenitis

etio autoimmune

clin positive anti-SSA, anti-SSB, or RF & ANA titer

Sj gren s manifestations

site parotid glands, submandibular glands

rarely minor salivary glands

cytology cells cohesive sheets of ductal cells

metaplastic squames

nuclei enlarged, reparative changes

lack marked pleomorphism

other germinal center components

absent acinar cells (or scant)

Eosinophilic Sialadenitis

Media WSI

Sialodenosis

Etio non-inflammatory, non-neoplastic enlargement

Clin gradul enlargement, not painful

Cytology cells cellular aspirate

Clusters of hypertrophic acinar cells

Normal acinar architecture

Other background of stripped acinar nuclei

Fibroadipose tissue

Absent cystic or inflammatory features

 

Neoplastic Benign

Media pathoutlines

Milan System Atlas

Prog 3% ROM

Warthin tumor

Epid 2nd most common SGN, 50-70yo

Etio smoking

Site parotid

Clin doughy painless mass

Cytology Cells uniform oncocytes, small lymphocytes

Cytoplasm oncocytes homogeneous, granular

Well-defined borders

Nucleus oncocytes central, prominent nucleolus

Other dirty proteinaceous background

DDx LESA lack oncocytes and debris

Oncocytoma lack lymphs and debris

Media WSI WSI WSI WSI WSI WSI WSI

Pleormorphic adenoma

Epid most common SGN

Site parotid

Cytology Cells modestly cellular

Biphasic (myoepithelial > ductal)

Myoepithelial cells have a variety of shapes

Ductal cells recap ducts, small cohesive groups

Matrix distinctively chondrmyxoid & fibrillary

Magenta on Romanowky, grey-green on pap

Surrounds each cells, giving troll hair appearance

Nuclei bland in ductal and myoepithelial cells

Media WSI WSI WSI

WSI WSI WSI myoepithelial-rich

Oncocytoma

Epid 50-80yo

Cytology cells sheets and clusters of large polygonal cells

Cytoplasm abundant, homogenenous, granular

Nuclei enlarged, round, distinct nucleolus

Other background clean

Absent nuclear pleomorphism or mitotic figures

Media WSI

Mesenchymal tumors

Lipoma

Cytology cells sheets & clusters

Nuclei small, hyperchromatic, displaced by fat vacuoles

Cytoplasm single large clear vacuole

Other background droplets of lipid

Schwannoma

Cytology cells scant to moderately cellular

Spindle shaped

Nuclei small, dark, bland

Enlarged with ancient change

Nucleoli small or absent

Cytoplasm wispy bipolar cytoplasmic processes

Pale, ill-defined, fibrillary appearance

Other background myxoid appearance (occasionally)

Lymphangioma

Cytology cells hypocellular

Scattered mature lymphocytes

Other watery background with RBCs

Background non-neoplastic acinar tissue

Basal cell adenoma

Media WSI

Neoplastic SUMP Patterns

Media pathoutlines

Milan System Atlas

Cellular Basaloid Neoplasm

Cellular Oncocytic/Oncocytoid Neoplasm

Clear cell features

Suspicious for Malignancy

Prog 35% ROM

Media pathoutlines

Milan System Atlas

Malignant

Media pathoutlines

Milan System Atlas

Acinic cell carcinoma

Epid 2nd mc malignant SGN

Common in kids

Cytology Cells uniform polygonal epithelial cells

Dispersed or loosely cohesive

May adhere to capillaries or make papillae

Nuclei uniform, round, eccentric, distinct nucleolus

Cytoplasm zymogen granules (variable, PASD+)

Background background clean or frothy

stripped nuclei, sometimes lymphs

Other Rarely psammoma bodies

Absent mitotic acitivity, necrosis

ICC NR4A3+

Media WSI

Secretory carcinoma

Epid M = F

Cytology cells cuboidal, polygonal

No lobular arrangement of normal acini

Nuclei uniform, round, centrall located, smooth contours

Fine chromatin, distinct central nucleolus

Cytoplasm indistinct cell membranes, low N:C

Abundant, vacuolated, pale

background proteinaceous material

Absent cytoplasmic zymogen granules

ICC (+) mammaglobin, S100, GATA3

ICC (-) DOG1, myoepithelial markers

Prog indolent

Note very much resembles ACC except no granules

Media WSI WSI

Epithelial-myoepithelial carcinoma

Epid 50-70yo, F > M

Clin localized, slow growing, painless

Cytology cells 2 - 3 : 1 ductal : myoepithelial cells

pseudopapillary groups, sheets, 3D groups

nuclei myoepithelial bland, open chromatin

cytoplasm myoepithelial abundant, clear, glycogen rich

background stripped nuclei (fragile cytoplasm)

other laminated, acellular stromal cores

mol HRAS mutations

Salivary duct carcinoma

Etio most are a transformation of carcinoma ex PA

Epid pak incidence in 60s, M >> F

Clin frequent facial nerve incolvement

Large, infiltrative growth, presents late stage

Cytology cells medium-large, polygonal, overtly malignant

sheets, 3D clusters

Occasional cribriform patterns

Nuclei enlarged, oval, pleomorphic with anisonucleosis

Hyperchromasia and prominent nucleoli

Cytoplasm abundnat & granular ─ oncocytic/apocrine-like

Well-defined cell borders

Other dirty & necrotic background

stripped enlarged nuclei

ICC (+) AR, GATA3, GCDFP-15, frequently Her2/neu too

ICC (-) ER & PR (usually)

DDx MEC squamoid features

Metastatic SCC keratinization

Oncocytic ca lack necrosis

lack ductal features

Note highly prolifertive (Ki-67)

Lymphoepithelial carcinoma

Epid rare, Eskimos and East Asia

60s in USA

Etio EBV in endemic areas, USA non EBV

Clin cervical LAD

Cytology cells syncytial clumps or dispersed

Polygonal to spindle-shaped

Nuclei pleomorphic, vesicular, distinct nucleoli

Cytoplasm moderate to scant

background abundant lymphocytes and plasma cells

Note same cyto as nonk nasopharyngeal ca

Mucoepidermoid carcinoma

Epid most common malignant SGN in kids & adults

Peak incidence 10-20yo

Site most often parotid

Cytology cells mucus cells, intermediate, and epidermoid cells

Absent keratinization

LG more mucus cells, more cystic, mild atypia

HG more epidermoid cells, markedly atypical

ICC (+) p63/p40

ICC (-) AR, GATA3

Mol CRTC1::MAML2

DDx SCC lack of mucus cells

Media WSI WSI WSI WSI

WSI high-grade

Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma

Epid 30 50 yo, F > M

Clin slow-growing, firm mass

Often pw nerve symptosm (eg facial nerve palsy, pain)

Cytology cells Variably cellular, uniform, basaloid

Syncytial sheets with irregular borders

Microcystic sieve-like spaces

Cells surround matrix with a sharp interface

Nuclei bland, oval to angulated, hyperchromatic

Nucleoli indistinct

Cytoplasm indistinct, high N:C

Other matrix acellular, sharp borders, non-fibrillary

magenta on Romanowsky

translucent to pale green on pap

Absent mitoses, necrosis, pleomorphism (except ig HG)

sharp borders around cell groups

ICC (+) CD117

mol MYB::NFIB

prog slow progression, multiple recurrences, late metastasis

Note matrix may be absent in solid variant

Media WSI WSI

video

Myoepithelial Carcinoma

Cytology Cells cellular aspirate

clusters, sheets, crowded groups

plasmacytoid, spindled, clear, or epithelioid

nuclei variable atypia, depending on grade

 

background metachromatic stromal material

Small globules and bands with fibrillar edges

Carcinoma ex Pleomorphic Adenoma

Epid 50-70 yo (decade later than PA), F > M

Site parotid

Clin long-standing firm mass with recent rapid growth

Facial nerve palsy or skin involvement at presentation

 

Cytology cells cellular aspirate

Other Focal component of PA often seen

High grade carcinoma, usually SDC, may be seen

Mol chromosal intabilities underly transformation of PA

Media Milan pathoutlines

nondiagnostic pathoutlines

nonneoplastic pathoutlines

AUS pathoutlines

neoplasm: benign pathoutlines

neoplasm: SUMP[89] pathoutlines

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


 

 



[1] distinguished from lymphocyte by their nucleoli

[2] irregularly distributed chromatin, parachromatin clearing, nuclear membrane irregularity, loss of polarity, nuclear crowding, anisomucleosis favor malignancy

[3] Serous c

ystadenoma H&E Pap inhibin Glut1

[4] 84M Serous cystadenoma HE PAS Glut1

[5] Serous cystadenoma H&E PAS PASD

[6] Serous cystadenoma Pap

[7] 60F serous cystadenoma Pap

[8] Chylous/yellow/turbid/serosanguineous

[9] MCN HG pap with resection showing invasive adeno

[10] neoplastic mucinous cyst, pap

[11] solid pseudopapillary neoplasm

[12] pancreatic head masses aw duct stricture with downstreeam dual dilation of both ducts

[13] Delicate, foamy or lacey cytoplasm

[14] Adenocarcinoma, includes Pap and HE

[15] segment on pooly diff

[16] segment on well diff

[17] NET G3 with liver met, includes pap diff-quick H&E, synaptophysin, chromogranin PAX8, CDX2, Ki67

[18] Acinar Cell Carcinoma, HE pap BCL10 synaptophysin

[19] intermediate squames w larger nuc, granular chromatin, abundant cytopasm

[20] basal/parabasal cells, nuc larger than intermediate, scant cytopalsm, granuar and dense and high NC

[21] polarized endocervical glandlar cells

[22] benign endocervical glandular cells, s/p hysterectomy

[23] WHO, normal columnar

[24] WHO, normal secretory

[25] WHO, normal ciliated

[26] WHO, glandular cells after hysterectomy

[27] tight cluster of endometrial glandular cells

[28] exodus

[29] endometrial cell, spherical cluster of small cells w dark nuc, scant cytplasm

[30] reactive nuclear enlargement w nucleoli and neutrophils

[31] WHO, inflammation & repair

[32] A & B mature, C immature, D immature w transitional metaplasia

[33] repacement o endocervica cels by squamous cells

[34] Squamous metaplasia, fla sheet of cells w mild variation in nuc size, round-oval nuc, slightly irreg nuc mem

[35] WHO, mature sq metaplasia

[36] immaure sq metaplasai

[37] tubal-llike epithelium

[38] Ie inflm exudate and basophilic granular debris

[39] WHO, atrophy

[40] atrophy w inflm, parabasal cells w uniformly distributed chr, regular nuc contour, background inflm

[41] WHO, IUD changes

[42] WHO, radiation changes

[43] radiation changes, polychromatic cytoplasm, multinucleation

[44] WHO, actinomyces

[45] WHO, Trichomonas

[46] skewered squamous cells around pseudohyphae

[47] tangles of hyphae and yeast forms

[48] WHO, candida

[49] WHO, gardnerella

[50] Reactive perinuclear halo

[51] WHO, parakeratosis

[52] Atypical parakearatosis, orangeophilic cytoplasm, mild nuc atypia

[53] WHO, hyperkeratosis (leukoplakia)

[54] HO, lymphofollicular cervicitis

[55] WHO, ASCUS bottom ~15 images

[56] ASCUS, poorly formed halos & vacuoles, resembles koilocytes

[57] ASCUS, nucleus 2.5-3x nl intermediate, min nuc hyperchr

[58] ASCUS, single cell w enlarged hyperchr nuc, slight perinuc halo

[59] WHO, ASCH, top ~20 images

[60] rare small cells w high NC, nuc enlargement, hyperchr

[61] single cluster o small cells w high NC, hyperchr, irreg nuc mem

[62] WHO

[63] LSIL, perinuclear cavitation

[64] nuc enlargement and binuc

[65] LSIL, binuc w hyperchr and membrane irregularity

[66] LSIL, koilocytosis and nuc atypia, nuc enlargement, irreg nuc mem and hyperchr

[67] HSIL, high NC, nuc hyperchr, contour irregularity

[68] HSIL, high NC, nuc hyperchr, contour irregularity

[69] HIS, high NC, nuc hyperchr, contour irreg, smaller than LSIL

[70] HSIL single cell w high NC, hyperchr, irreg nuc contour

[71] small cells w high NC, nuc enlargement, irreg nuc mem, hyperchr, absent ncleoli

[72] WHO

[73] atypical endocervical glandular cells, crowded w nuc overlap, feathering, prominent nucleoli

[74] mostly CIS & SCC

[75] Compared to non-keratinizing SCC

[76] Compared to non-keratinizing SCC

[77] Ie the nucleus takees up 2/3 of the cytoplasm

[78] cyst lining cells with enlarged nuclei, finely granular chromatin, and a squamoid or spindle-shaped ( tissue-culture cell ) appearance

[79] Aw FVPTC & NIFTP

[80] A glassy, homogeneous cytoplasmic inclusion

[81] Referred to as endoplasmic ectoplasmic demarcation

[82] prominent nucleoli, Predominantly discohesive, Monotonous primitive cells

[83] Can be mistaken for basaloid carcinoma, ICC needed

[84] lower grade, less necrosis & mitosis

[85] more abundant cytoplasm, Prominent nucleoli & cell borders

[86] more dyscohesive, Lymphoglandular bodies more dyscohesive, Lymphoglandular bodies

[87] yeast forms budding off from parent yeasts

[88] allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis

[89] salivary gland neoplasm of uncertain malignant potential