Fine-needle aspiration of Merkel cell carcinoma of the skin with cytomorphology and immunocytochemical correlation

Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) of the skin is a rare, primary malignant skin neoplasm which can present as a cutaneous nodule. These neoplasms are seen primarily in the elderly and located in the head and neck area or extremities. Twenty‐nine aspirates from primary and metastatic lesions obtained by pe...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Diagnostic cytopathology 1998-04, Vol.18 (4), p.251-257
Main Authors: Collins, Brian T., Elmberger, P. Goran, Tani, Edneia M., Bjornhagen, Viveca, Ramos, Ricardo R.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adult
Aged
Aged, 80 and over
Biological and medical sciences
Biomarkers - analysis
Biopsy, Needle
Carcinoma, Merkel Cell - immunology
Carcinoma, Merkel Cell - pathology
Dermatology
Female
Humans
immunocytochemistry
Immunohistochemistry
Male
Medical sciences
Merkel cell carcinoma
Middle Aged
needle aspirate
skin neoplasm
Skin Neoplasms - immunology
Skin Neoplasms - pathology
Tumors of the skin and soft tissue. Premalignant lesions
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Summary:Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) of the skin is a rare, primary malignant skin neoplasm which can present as a cutaneous nodule. These neoplasms are seen primarily in the elderly and located in the head and neck area or extremities. Twenty‐nine aspirates from primary and metastatic lesions obtained by percutaneous fine‐needle aspiration in 19 patients have been studied. The cytomorphologic features, clinical information, and immunocytochemical (ICC) findings are detailed. Aspirate smears demonstrated small‐to‐intermediate‐sized cells with a loosely cohesive pattern. Nuclei were round with finely granular chromatin and multiple, small nucleoli. Cells possessed a thin rim of cytoplasm, and infrequent pseudorosette formations were noted in cell groups. ICC results were universally positive for cytokeratin, which showed a paranuclear “dot‐like” pattern. Neuron‐specific enolase, epithelial membrane antigen, and S‐100 protein were positive in varying degrees. Leukocyte common antigen was universally negative. The diagnosis of MCC of the skin by FNA can be made by applying cytologic features in addition to ancillary studies and clinical information. Diagn. Cytopathol. 1998;18:251–257. © 1998 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
ISSN:8755-1039
1097-0339
DOI:10.1002/(SICI)1097-0339(199804)18:4<251::AID-DC1>3.0.CO;2-F