Difference between revisions of "Mesothelial cytopathology"

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An introduction to cytopathology is in the ''[[cytopathology]]'' article.   
An introduction to cytopathology is in the ''[[cytopathology]]'' article.   


''Pleural fluid'' redirects to here.
A general [[differential diagnosis]] of pleural effusion is given in the ''[[pleural effusion]]'' article.


=Specimen types=
''Pleural fluid'', ''pleural cytopathology'', ''peritoneal fluid'', and ''peritoneal cytopathology'' redirect to here.
 
=Overview=
*[[Sensitivity]] moderate for malignancy (60%).<ref name=pmid>{{Cite journal  | last1 = Karoo | first1 = RO. | last2 = Lloyd | first2 = TD. | last3 = Garcea | first3 = G. | last4 = Redway | first4 = HD. | last5 = Robertson | first5 = GS. | title = How valuable is ascitic cytology in the detection and management of malignancy? | journal = Postgrad Med J | volume = 79 | issue = 931 | pages = 292-4 | month = May | year = 2003 | doi =  | PMID = 12782778 }}</ref>
 
===Specimen types===
*'''Wash''', e.g. ''peritoneal wash'': expect sheets of (benign squamous) cells.
*'''Wash''', e.g. ''peritoneal wash'': expect sheets of (benign squamous) cells.
*'''Spontaneous''', e.g. ''pleural fluid'': usually no large sheets.
*'''Spontaneous''', e.g. ''pleural fluid'': usually no large sheets.


Note:
Note:
This distinction is important as ''wash'' specimens may have pseudopapillae.  
This distinction is important as ''wash'' specimens may have pseudopapillae.


=Approach=
===Approach===
Look for:
Look for:
#Two cell populations.
#Two cell populations.
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#Small cells with high [[NC ratio]].
#Small cells with high [[NC ratio]].


==Features of malignancy==
===Features of malignancy===
Strongly suggestive of malignancy:
Strongly suggestive of malignancy:
*3-D clusters.
*3-D clusters.
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*High NC ratio.
*High NC ratio.


=Differential diagnosis=
===Differential diagnosis===
*[[Adenocarcinoma]] not otherwise specified (NOS) - most common.
*[[Adenocarcinoma]] not otherwise specified (NOS) - most common.
*Reactive mesothelium.
*Reactive mesothelium.
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*[[Small cell carcinoma]].
*[[Small cell carcinoma]].


===Peritoneal cavity specific===
====Peritoneal cavity specific====
*[[Hepatocellular carcinoma]] (HCC) may be associated with ascites... but it is rarely positive for malignant cells.<ref name=Ref_APBR679>{{Ref APBR|679}}</ref>
*[[Hepatocellular carcinoma]] (HCC) may be associated with ascites... but it is rarely positive for malignant cells.<ref name=Ref_APBR679>{{Ref APBR|679}}</ref>
**HCC in ascites fluid is super rare -- ''I haven't seen a case''.<ref>SB. 8 January 2010.</ref>
**HCC in ascites fluid is super rare -- ''I haven't seen a case''.<ref>SB. 8 January 2010.</ref>


=Normal mesothelium=
=Normal mesothelium=
===General===
Often seen in the context of:
*Gynecologic surgeries - done to exclude malignancy.
*Taps for ascites.
===Cytology===
Features:<ref name=Ref_APBR674>{{Ref APBR|674}}</ref>
Features:<ref name=Ref_APBR674>{{Ref APBR|674}}</ref>
*"Window" or "space" between attached cells (due to microvilli).
*"Window" or "space" between attached cells (due to microvilli).
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=Reactive mesothelium=
=Reactive mesothelium=
===General===
*May be due to any number of causes.
*Can be severe in the context of [[chronic renal failure|(peritoneal) dialysis]].<ref name=pmid2323293>{{Cite journal  | last1 = Selvaggi | first1 = SM. | last2 = Migdal | first2 = S. | title = Cytologic features of atypical mesothelial cells in peritoneal dialysis fluid. | journal = Diagn Cytopathol | volume = 6 | issue = 1 | pages = 22-6 | month =  | year = 1990 | doi =  | PMID = 2323293 }}</ref>
===Cytology===
:''See [[Mesothelial_cytopathology#Malignant_mesothelioma|mesothelioma]]''.
====Images====
<gallery>
Image: Peritoneal fluid - post-DC insertion -- high mag.jpg | PF - high mag. (WC)
Image: Peritoneal fluid - post-DC insertion -- very high mag.jpg | PF - very high mag. (WC)
Image: Peritoneal fluid - post-DC insertion - alt -- very high mag.jpg | PF - very high mag. (WC)
</gallery>
===Sign out===
===Sign out===
<pre>
<pre>
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===Cytology===
===Cytology===
Features:
Features:
*Lupus erythematosus cells, usually abbreviated ''LE cells'':<ref>URL:[http://www.tabers.com/tabersonline/ub/view/Tabers/143167/34/L_E__cell http://www.tabers.com/tabersonline/ub/view/Tabers/143167/34/L_E__cell]. Accessed on: 12 April 2012.</ref>
*Lupus erythematosus cells, usually abbreviated ''[[LE cell]]s'':<ref>URL:[http://www.tabers.com/tabersonline/ub/view/Tabers/143167/34/L_E__cell http://www.tabers.com/tabersonline/ub/view/Tabers/143167/34/L_E__cell]. Accessed on: 12 April 2012.</ref>
**Pink blobs (representing a denatured nuclei) - phagocytosed by macrophages or [[PMN]]s.<ref>URL: [http://library.med.utah.edu/WebPath/IMMHTML/IMM008.html http://library.med.utah.edu/WebPath/IMMHTML/IMM008.html]. Accessed on: 12 April 2012.</ref>
**Pink blobs (representing a denatured nuclei) - phagocytosed by a [[neutrophil]].<ref>URL: [http://library.med.utah.edu/WebPath/IMMHTML/IMM008.html http://library.med.utah.edu/WebPath/IMMHTML/IMM008.html]. Accessed on: 12 April 2012.</ref>


Image:  
Image:  
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===IHC===
===IHC===
*Calretin +ve.
*[[Calretinin]] +ve.
*WT-1 +ve.
*WT-1 +ve.
*[[D2-40]] +ve.
*[[D2-40]] +ve.
*[[TTF-1]] -ve.
*[[TTF-1]] -ve.
*CEA -ve.
*CEA -ve.
*[[p63]] -ve.<ref name=pmid18064689>{{Cite journal  | last1 = Pu | first1 = RT. | last2 = Pang | first2 = Y. | last3 = Michael | first3 = CW. | title = Utility of WT-1, p63, MOC31, mesothelin, and cytokeratin (K903 and CK5/6) immunostains in differentiating adenocarcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and malignant mesothelioma in effusions. | journal = Diagn Cytopathol | volume = 36 | issue = 1 | pages = 20-5 | month = Jan | year = 2008 | doi = 10.1002/dc.20747 | PMID = 18064689 }}</ref>


==Adenocarcinoma==
==Adenocarcinoma==
===General===
*[[Diagnosis]] represent a large number of distinct entities - see ''[[adenocarcinoma NOS]]''.
===Cytology===
===Cytology===
Adenocarcinoma in fluid - features:<ref name=Ref_APBR675>{{Ref APBR|675}}</ref>
Adenocarcinoma in fluid - features:<ref name=Ref_APBR675>{{Ref APBR|675}}</ref>
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====Images====
====Images====
=====Case 1=====
<gallery>
<gallery>
Image: Adenocarcinoma - pleural fluid  -- high mag.jpg | Adenocarcinoma - high mag. (WC)
Image: Adenocarcinoma - pleural fluid  -- high mag.jpg | Adenocarcinoma - high mag. (WC)
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Image: Lung adenocarcinoma - pleural fluid - 2 -- high mag.jpg | Lung adenocarcinoma - high mag. (WC)
Image: Lung adenocarcinoma - pleural fluid - 2 -- high mag.jpg | Lung adenocarcinoma - high mag. (WC)
Image: Lung adenocarcinoma - pleural fluid - 2 -- very high mag.jpg | Lung adenocarcinoma - very high mag. (WC)
Image: Lung adenocarcinoma - pleural fluid - 2 -- very high mag.jpg | Lung adenocarcinoma - very high mag. (WC)
</gallery>
</gallery>
=====Case 2=====
<gallery>
Image: Adenocarcinoma - pleural fluid 3 -- high mag.jpg | Adenocarcinoma - high mag. (WC)
Image: Adenocarcinoma - pleural fluid 3 -- very high mag.jpg | Adenocarcinoma - very high mag. (WC)
Image: Adenocarcinoma - pleural fluid 3 - alt -- very high mag.jpg | Adenocarcinoma - very high mag. (WC)
Image: Adenocarcinoma - pleural fluid 3 - TTF-1 -- high mag.jpg | Adenocarcinoma - TTF-1 - high mag. (WC)
Image: Adenocarcinoma - pleural fluid 3 - TTF-1 -- very high mag.jpg | Adenocarcinoma - TTF-1 - very high mag. (WC)
</gallery>
===IHC===
Breast:
*ER +ve/-ve.
*Calretinin -ve.
Colon:
*CK20 +ve.
*CDX2 +ve.
*Calretinin -ve.
Lung:
*TTF-1 +ve.
*Calretinin -ve.


==Colorectal adenocarcinoma==
==Colorectal adenocarcinoma==
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===IHC===
===IHC===
*WT-1 +ve.
*WT-1 +ve.
*CA-125 +ve.
*[[CA-125]] +ve.
*D2-40 +ve.
*D2-40 +ve.



Latest revision as of 16:40, 15 May 2017

Mesothelial cytopathology is a large part of cytopathology. The article deals with cytopathology specimens from spaces lined with mesothelium, i.e. it deals with pericardial fluid, peritoneal fluid and pleural fluid.

Benign mesothelial cells from a pleural fluid specimen. (WC)
Adenocarcinoma (lung) and benign mesothelial cells in a pleural fluid specimen. (WC)

An introduction to cytopathology is in the cytopathology article.

A general differential diagnosis of pleural effusion is given in the pleural effusion article.

Pleural fluid, pleural cytopathology, peritoneal fluid, and peritoneal cytopathology redirect to here.

Overview

Specimen types

  • Wash, e.g. peritoneal wash: expect sheets of (benign squamous) cells.
  • Spontaneous, e.g. pleural fluid: usually no large sheets.

Note: This distinction is important as wash specimens may have pseudopapillae.

Approach

Look for:

  1. Two cell populations.
  2. Large dark objects.
  3. Boerner's red flags.

Boerner's red flags:

  1. 3-D clusters.
    • Doublet & triplets common.
    • Quads-to-Quints - sweat breaks-out.
    • Sextuplets... very nervous.
  2. "Busy" slide:
    • Nuclear pleomorphism.
    • Too many "intermediate cells".
    • Mitoses - 1-2/slide is "many".
  3. Vacuolated cytoplasm.
  4. Small cells with high NC ratio.

Features of malignancy

Strongly suggestive of malignancy:

  • 3-D clusters.
  • Large clusters.
  • Highly cellularity.
  • Irregular nucleoli.
  • Group pleomorphism.

May be suggestive:

  • High NC ratio.

Differential diagnosis

Less common:

Peritoneal cavity specific

  • Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) may be associated with ascites... but it is rarely positive for malignant cells.[2]
    • HCC in ascites fluid is super rare -- I haven't seen a case.[3]

Normal mesothelium

General

Often seen in the context of:

  • Gynecologic surgeries - done to exclude malignancy.
  • Taps for ascites.

Cytology

Features:[4]

  • "Window" or "space" between attached cells (due to microvilli).
  • Cytoplasmic blebs.
    • Bleb = "drop" of cytoplasm at cell periphery.
  • +/-Multinucleated.
  • Variable size (normal).
  • Nucleoli (in reactive cells).

Note - abnormal features:

  • Large clusters of cells, e.g. 150+ micrometres.

Images

Reactive mesothelium

General

Cytology

See mesothelioma.

Images

Sign out

Pleural Fluid, Right, Thoracentesis: 
- Negative for malignant cells. 
- Reactive mesothelial cells present in a background of abundant lymphocytes. 

Comment: 
Additional sampling should be considered within the clinical context. 

Specific diagnoses - benign

Eosinophilic pleuritis

General

This has a large DDx:

Cytology

Features:

  • Eosinophils >10%.

Rheumatoid pleuritis

General

Cytology

Features:[6]

  • Large (single) multinucleated cells - classically spindled.
    • May have epithelioid morphology.
  • Necrotic debris - fluffy orange-to-blue crap.

Note:

  • Necrotizing granulomatous inflammation.

Systemic lupus erythematosus pleurisy

  • AKA systemic lupus erythematosus pleuritis.

General

  • Not common.
  • Distinctive cytology.

Cytology

Features:

  • Lupus erythematosus cells, usually abbreviated LE cells:[7]
    • Pink blobs (representing a denatured nuclei) - phagocytosed by a neutrophil.[8]

Image:

Specific diagnoses - malignant

Malignant mesothelioma

General

  • Can be challenging to diagnose.
    • NC ratio may be normal in mesothelioma.
    • Large NC ratios may be seen in reactive mesothelial cells.
    • Focal hyperchromasia is seen in reactive mesothelial cells.
    • Focal macronucleoli are seen in reactive mesothelial cells.

Cytopathology

Features:[9]

  1. Nuclear membrane irregularies (rare).
  2. Hyperchromasia - diffuse.
  3. 3-D clusters of cells (strongly suggestive).
    • Clusters of cells with "knobby" border; border is hobnail-like.
  4. Large clusters of cells; >10 cells in a cluster (rare in benign).
  5. Large NC ratio (common - not specific).
  6. Gigantic cells; cells 2X+ neighbouring mesothelial cell (uncommon - but strong).
  7. Nucleoli:
    • Macronucleoli - must be widespread (not common - strong).
    • Multiple nucleoli.
    • Irregular nucleoli (strong).

Notes:

  • Single cells/small clusters - suggestive of mesothelioma vs. serous carcinoma. (???)

Mesothelioma versus reactive mesothelium:[9]

Characteristic Reactive mesothelial cells Mesothelioma
Architecture Flat sheets 3-D groups
Group size Small, <10 cells Large, >10 cells
Nuclear atypia - see Note 1. +/-Hyperchromasia, +/-focal atypia +/-Widespread atypia
Large cells +/-Yes No
Nucleoli Common - small, focal large +/-Large widespread, +/-multiple

Note 1:

  • Best assessed on single cells.

Images

www:

IHC

Adenocarcinoma

General

Cytology

Adenocarcinoma in fluid - features:[11]

  • Classically large morules (clusters of cells that are heaped/are "3-dimensional"), known as cannonballs, with "community borders".
    • "Community border" = smooth, low surface area border; should be differentiated from a "knobby" border seen in mesothelioma.
  • Intracytoplasmic "lumens"/inclusions (think lobular carcinoma).

DDx of cannonballs:[11]

  • Breast.
  • Ovary.
  • Lung.
  • GI.

Images

Case 1
Case 2

IHC

Breast:

  • ER +ve/-ve.
  • Calretinin -ve.

Colon:

  • CK20 +ve.
  • CDX2 +ve.
  • Calretinin -ve.

Lung:

  • TTF-1 +ve.
  • Calretinin -ve.

Colorectal adenocarcinoma

  • May be abbreviated CRA.

General

  • Cytology may be distinctive.

Cytology

Features:

  • Cannonballs (non-specific).
  • Suggestive of CRA:[11]
    • Pseudostratified cells.
    • Columnar cells.

Note:

  • See adenocarcinoma section above for other types of adenocarcinoma.

Serous carcinoma

General

  • S. Boerner believes one can and ought to separate adenocarcinoma from serous carcinoma.

Microscopic

Features:

  • Large nucleoli.[12]
  • Cilia.[13]
  • Abnormal architecture:[14]
    • Large clusters of cells / micropapillae (?).
    • Nuclear overlap.
    • +/-True papillae.[15]

Note 1 - classic features of serous (see gynecologic pathology article):

DDx of serous carcinoma (found in ascites fluid):

  • Cervix.
  • Endometrium.
    • Intravacuolar neutrophils are erroneously believed to be indicative of this.[15]
  • Uterine tube.
  • Ovary.
  • Primary peritoneal.

Images

www:

IHC

  • WT-1 +ve.
  • CA-125 +ve.
  • D2-40 +ve.

Lymphoma

General

  • Can only be reasonably certain for large cell lymphomas, e.g. DLBCL.

Cytology

Features:

  • Dyscohesive cells ~2x a resting lymphocyte - usually with scant blue cytoplasm.

DDx:

Images

See also

References

  1. Karoo, RO.; Lloyd, TD.; Garcea, G.; Redway, HD.; Robertson, GS. (May 2003). "How valuable is ascitic cytology in the detection and management of malignancy?". Postgrad Med J 79 (931): 292-4. PMID 12782778.
  2. Lefkowitch, Jay H. (2006). Anatomic Pathology Board Review (1st ed.). Saunders. pp. 679. ISBN 978-1416025887.
  3. SB. 8 January 2010.
  4. Lefkowitch, Jay H. (2006). Anatomic Pathology Board Review (1st ed.). Saunders. pp. 674. ISBN 978-1416025887.
  5. Selvaggi, SM.; Migdal, S. (1990). "Cytologic features of atypical mesothelial cells in peritoneal dialysis fluid.". Diagn Cytopathol 6 (1): 22-6. PMID 2323293.
  6. 6.0 6.1 Naylor, B.. "The pathognomonic cytologic picture of rheumatoid pleuritis. The 1989 Maurice Goldblatt Cytology award lecture.". Acta Cytol 34 (4): 465-73. PMID 2197838.
  7. URL:http://www.tabers.com/tabersonline/ub/view/Tabers/143167/34/L_E__cell. Accessed on: 12 April 2012.
  8. URL: http://library.med.utah.edu/WebPath/IMMHTML/IMM008.html. Accessed on: 12 April 2012.
  9. 9.0 9.1 Tadrous, Paul.J. Diagnostic Criteria Handbook in Histopathology: A Surgical Pathology Vade Mecum (1st ed.). Wiley. pp. 359-60. ISBN 978-0470519035.
  10. Pu, RT.; Pang, Y.; Michael, CW. (Jan 2008). "Utility of WT-1, p63, MOC31, mesothelin, and cytokeratin (K903 and CK5/6) immunostains in differentiating adenocarcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and malignant mesothelioma in effusions.". Diagn Cytopathol 36 (1): 20-5. doi:10.1002/dc.20747. PMID 18064689.
  11. 11.0 11.1 11.2 Lefkowitch, Jay H. (2006). Anatomic Pathology Board Review (1st ed.). Saunders. pp. 675. ISBN 978-1416025887.
  12. Kuebler, DL.; Nikrui, N.; Bell, DA.. "Cytologic features of endometrial papillary serous carcinoma.". Acta Cytol 33 (1): 120-6. PMID 2916358.
  13. http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/journal/112702002/abstract?CRETRY=1&SRETRY=0
  14. Weir, MM.; Bell, DA. (Oct 2001). "Cytologic identification of serous neoplasms in peritoneal fluids.". Cancer 93 (5): 309-18. PMID 11668465.
  15. 15.0 15.1 Boerner, S. 12 January 2010.

External links