Exfoliative cytology of metastatic chordoma appearing in the sputum. A case report.
BACKGROUND
Chordoma that arises along the spinal axis metastasizes to the lung on occasion. Chordoma has been reported to have characteristic cytologic features in fine needle aspiration cytology in primary and metastatic foci.


METHODS
A 76-year-old female had a tumor on the buttock and tumors in the lung. Exfoliative cytology of the sputum showed cohesive, epithelioid clusters composed of pale-stained, broad cytoplasm with a lacelike pattern, minimal nuclear atypism with anisonucleosis and characteristic mucoid substances.


CONCLUSIONS
Cytopathologists should be aware of the possibility of metastatic chordoma when epithelioid tumor cell clusters with benign-looking features embedded in a mucoid substance are detected in aspiration cytology or sputum.
Kawahara
E
E
Department of Medical Technology, School of Allied Medical Professions, Fukui, Japan.
Kimura
A
A
Akasofu
M
M
Kawakami
Y
Y
Kobayashi
A
A
Nakanishi
I
I
D000368:Aged; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D001707:Biopsy, Needle; D002817:Chordoma / Q000737:chemistry / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000556:secondary*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000737:chemistry / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000556:secondary*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D018396:Mucin-1 / Q000032:analysis; D009336:Necrosis; D011859:Radiography; D009418:S100 Proteins / Q000032:analysis; D012445:Sacrococcygeal Region; D013125:Spinal Neoplasms / Q000737:chemistry / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D013183:Sputum / Q000166:cytology*
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D018396:Mucin-1; D009418:S100 Proteins