title: Neutrophilic phagocytosis by tumor cells. A feature to consider in the differential diagnosis in fine needle aspiration smears.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To analyze neutrophilic phagocytosis by tumor cells in fine needle aspirate (FNA) smears from different types of tumor.
  
  
  METHODS
  A retrospective review of a total of 7 cases showing prominent neutrophilic phagocytosis by tumor cells in FNA smears during the period July 2003-December 2004.
  
  
  RESULTS
  This feature was seen in malignant fibrous histiocytoma and poorly differentiated renal cell carcinoma in addition to giant cell carcinoma of the lung.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Neutrophilic phagocytosis by tumor cells is seen in FNA smears and on cytomorphology. The differential diagnoses should include both pleomorphic sarcomas and carcinomas.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cytopathology and Gynecological Pathology, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India.
authors.forename: Nalini
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Gupta
authors.forename: Radhika
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Srinivasan
authors.forename: Raje
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Nijhawan
authors.forename: Arvind
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rajwanshi
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D044963:Biopsy, Fine-Needle; D018286:Carcinoma, Giant Cell / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000276:immunology; D002292:Carcinoma, Renal Cell / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000276:immunology; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D051677:Histiocytoma, Malignant Fibrous / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007680:Kidney Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000276:immunology; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000276:immunology*; D009504:Neutrophils / Q000276:immunology*; D010587:Phagocytosis; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012509:Sarcoma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000276:immunology