title: "Cercariform" cells: a clue to the cytodiagnosis of transitional cell origin of metastatic neoplasms?
abstract: The "cercariform" cell is described as a distinct cytomorphologic clue that may be helpful in the diagnosis of metastatic transitional cell neoplasms, particularly low grade. This cell has a nucleated globular body and a cytoplasmic process with a nontapering, flattened, bulbous or fishtail-like end. The cercariform cell corresponds to intermediate cells in histologic and ultrastructural preparations of normal urothelium. The cercariform appearance is the result of pseudostratification of both normal and low-grade neoplastic urothelium. The unique features of cercariform cells make them readily distinguishable from neoplastic squamous cells as well as spindle cells of mesenchymal origin.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, State University of New York, Health Science Center, Syracuse 13210, USA.
authors.forename: C N
authors.initials: CN
authors.lastname: Powers
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Elbadawi
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002295:Carcinoma, Transitional Cell / Q000473:pathology* / Q000556:secondary* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004848:Epithelium / Q000473:pathology / Q000648:ultrastructure; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D001749:Urinary Bladder Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology* / Q000648:ultrastructure / Q000652:urine