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Neuroendocrine (merkel‐cell) carcinoma of the skin: Immunocytochemical and cytomorphologic analysis on fine‐needle aspirates
Author(s) -
Skoog Lambert,
Schmitt Fernando C.,
Tani Edneia
Publication year - 1990
Publication title -
diagnostic cytopathology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.417
H-Index - 65
eISSN - 1097-0339
pISSN - 8755-1039
DOI - 10.1002/dc.2840060112
Subject(s) - merkel cell , merkel cell carcinoma , pathology , enolase , cytokeratin , medicine , staining , neuroendocrine differentiation , immunocytochemistry , carcinoma , immunohistochemistry , cancer , prostate cancer
Cytomorphologic and immunocytochemical characteristics of tumor cells from fine‐needle aspirates of four neuroendocrine (Merkel‐cell) carcinomas of the skin are described. All aspirates were cellular with dispersed small to medium sized tumor cells with scanty cytoplasm. Many mitoses were observed. Careful scrutiny revealed a tendency of the tumor cells to form microacinar and pseudorosette formations as well as small clusters of molding cells. Immunocytochemical analysis of cytospin preparations showed a peculiar dot‐like cytokeratin positivity, while neuron‐specific enolase staining was more diffuse. A weak S‐100 positivity was observed. This staining pattern is highly suggestive of Merkel‐cell tumor. It can thus be concluded that immunocytochemical analysis in conjunction with cytomorphology on fine‐needle aspirates will allow the identification of neuroendocrine carcinoma of the skin and its differentiation from other small‐cell neoplasias of the skin.