Gastrointestinal cytopathology
Gastrointestinal cytopathology, also known as GI cytology, is a relatively small part of cytopathology.
This article deals only with gastrointestinal cytopathology. An introduction to cytopathology is in the cytopathology article. Histopathology of the gastrointestinal tract is dealt with in gastrointestinal pathology.
Liver
Normal:
- Liver cells may be binucleated.
- Hepatocytes:
- Abundant cytoplasm, central nucleus.
- Bile ductules between adjacent cells.
- +/-Yellow granular pigment (bile).
Hepatocellular carcinoma
Main article: Hepatocellular carcinoma
Cytology
Features:
- Cohesive clusters of (liver) cells surrounded by endothelial cells - diagnostic.[1]
- +/-Nuclear atypia.
- +/-Prominent nucleoli.[2]
Notes:
- Low grade HCC is composed of cytologically normal appearing cells; the arrangement is what is diagnostic of malignancy.[1]
Images:
Cholangiocarcinoma
Main article: Cholangiocarcinoma
Cytology
Features:
- Looks like an adenocarcinoma:
- Eccentric nuclei, one nucleolus per cell, abundant cytoplasm, nuclear size var. cell-to-cell, irregular nuclear membrane, irregular/uneven chromatin pattern.
Common bile duct
Normal:
- Monolayer of small blue cells.
Notes:
- Caution is advised when calling malignancy in the setting of a stent or stones.
Adenocarcinoma
Features:
- Hyperchromasia.
- Pencil-shaped nuclei.
- Nuclear membrane irregularities.
Images:
Stomach
- May be difficult to distinguish from pancreas ductal epithelium.[3]
Small bowel
Epithelium:[3]
- Small blue cells.
- Goblet cells - key feature.
Notes:
- May appear to be similar to stomach and pancreatic duct.[3]
Esophagus
- Cytology may be done to look for candida.
- Report should comment on the presence of candida - if it is seen.
Pancreas
A short DDx:
- Ductal carcinoma of the pancreas.
- Serous cystadenoma of the pancreas.
- IPMN.
- Mucinous cystadenoma of the pancreas.
- Solid pseudopapillary neoplasm.
- Pancreatic neuroendocrine tumour.
Mucinous tumours
Features:
- Mucin.
Image:
Solid pseudopapillary neoplasm
Main article: Solid pseudopapillary neoplasm
Cytology
Features:[5]
- Small cells with:
- Scant cytoplasm.
- +/-Nuclear grooves.
- Papillary formations.
IHC
- PR +ve.
- Beta-catenin +ve.
- CD10 +ve.
Others:
- Chromogranin A -ve.
Pancreatic neuroendocrine tumour
Main article: Pancreatic neuroendocrine tumour
Cytology
Features:
- Round nuclei with granular chromatin.
- Moderate nuclear size variation.
IHC
- Chromogranin A +ve.
- Synaptophysin +ve.
See also
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Lefkowitch, Jay H. (2006). Anatomic Pathology Board Review (1st ed.). Saunders. pp. 679. ISBN 978-1416025887.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 URL: http://moon.ouhsc.edu/kfung/jty1/CytoLearn/CytoQuiz/CQ-021-040/CQ-034-M.htm. Accessed on: 9 April 2012.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Lefkowitch, Jay H. (2006). Anatomic Pathology Board Review (1st ed.). Saunders. pp. 680 (Q23). ISBN 978-1416025887.
- ↑ URL: http://moon.ouhsc.edu/kfung/jty1/OPAQ/PNPT/PN-NS01-Ans.htm. Accessed on: 22 February 2012.
- ↑ URL: http://moon.ouhsc.edu/kfung/jty1/CytoLearn/CytoQuiz/CQ-021-040/CQ-029-M.htm. Accessed on: 9 April 2012.