title: Fine-needle aspiration cytology of metastatic nasopharyngeal carcinoma.
abstract: Cytological features of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) were reviewed in an attempt to select cytological criteria that permit a specific recognition of metastases. For this purpose, 54 fine-needle aspiration (FNA) procedures from 43 patients with NPC were analyzed. Thirty-two (59.3%) procedures were performed before the histological diagnosis. In 25 (46.3%) procedures, smears showed many neoplastic single cells, clusters, and abundant lymphoid cells (mixed pattern). A dissociated (single cell) pattern consisting of individual neoplastic and lymphoid cells was seen in 18 (33.3%) cases. Finally, 11 (20.4%) cases showed cohesive epithelial clusters (cohesive pattern) without relevant cellular dissociation or lymphoid cells. Squamous-cell differentiation was seen in three of these cases. Most single neoplastic cells presented as large, pleomorphic naked nuclei. Other interesting findings were granulomas (n = 3), prominent eosinophilic infiltrates (n = 4), and suppurative changes (n = 5). In most smears with mixed and dissociated patterns, a nasopharyngeal origin could be suggested. On the contrary, those smears with a cohesive pattern were indistinguishable from other head and neck carcinomas. The presence (on cervical lymph nodes) of a dissociated or mixed (single cells and groups) architectural pattern of large, anaplastic cells and naked nuclei accompanied by an abundant lymphoid component is highly suggestive of undifferentiated NPC. Cytology offers a rapid diagnosis, establishes the necessity of a complete cavum examination, and helps in avoiding unnecessary and harmful biopsies.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, University Hospital La Paz, and Faculty of Medicine, Universidad Autonoma, Madrid.
authors.forename: José M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Viguer
authors.forename: José A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Jiménez-Heffernan
authors.forename: Pilar
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: López-Ferrer
authors.forename: Marcos
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Banaclocha
authors.forename: Blanca
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Vicandi
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D044963:Biopsy, Fine-Needle; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology*; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006099:Granuloma / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D008221:Lymphoid Tissue / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009303:Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology*