Esophageal brushings: Small cell carcinoma of the esophagus


Drs. Prolla and Diehl's INTERESTING CASE OF THE MONTH August 2002 case A

img SRC="178449a.jpg" height=360 width=478 ALT="400x Papanicolaou staining">

400x & 1,000x Papanicolaou staining, see the typical salt and pepper chromatin pattern



The smears show the typical features of small cell carcinoma: single small cells, with some loose groups showing nuclear molding, with scant or absent cytoplasm. The nuclei are oval or angulated, with "salt and pepper" chromatin, small or absent nucleoli.
The biopsies confirmed the diagnosis. This is a rare type of esophageal tumor, with very aggressive clinical course.

Features of Small cell carcinoma

Cellular patterns:
Three-dimensional loose groups of small cells, with high N/C ratio
Cell within cell pattern
Occasional tandem or indian file cell pattern
Cytoplasm:
Small rim of basophilic cytoplasm or naked nuclei
Nucleus
Round or angular hyperchromatic, "oat cell" type
Few small or absent nucleoli
Some cases have a large nucleolus: "intermediate cell" type
"Salt and pepper" chromatin, with nuclear molding
Mitoses, karyorrhexis and apoptotic bodies("blue bodies") are frequent
DNA streaking or nuclear smudging



See also August 2002 Case B



References List of cases Atlas
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