Journal article
The cytologic features of NUT midline carcinoma
Cancer, Vol.117(6), pp.508-515
12/25/2009
DOI: 10.1002/cncy.20044
PMID: 19795508
Abstract
Nuclear protein in testis (NUT) midline carcinoma (NMC) represents an aggressive, high-grade carcinoma typically involving the upper aerodigestive tract or mediastinum. Although the tumor was originally noted in young persons, we have subsequently identified 5 adult cases. To our knowledge, the cytology of NMC has not been systematically described.
We recently published a series of NMCs identified by fluorescent in situ hybridization for characteristic NUT rearrangement. Three of these patients had undergone fine-needle aspiration. Patient age, sex, primary tumor location, and aspiration site were noted. Cases were assessed for the following: cellularity, architecture, cytoplasm, cell size, nuclear contours, nucleoli, chromatin, anisonucleosis/cytosis, mitotic activity, background, and nuclear crush.
The 3 cases occurred in 2 women and 1 man, ages 31-79 years. Primaries involved the sinonasal tract (2) and larynx. Aspirates were of right neck masses (2) and supraclavicular lymph node. Smears were highly cellular and generally noncohesive. Cytoplasm was scant/delicate, although occasional cells with denser cytoplasm were noted in 1 case. Cells were 2-3 times the diameter of a small lymphocyte with irregular nuclear contours, discrete nucleoli, and fine/granular to vesicular chromatin. Anisonucleosis/cytosis was slight to moderate. Mitotic figures were noted in each case. The background contained naked nuclei and karyorrhectic debris; nuclear crush was noted.
NMCs exhibit cytologic features of a poorly differentiated or undifferentiated carcinoma. Although reports mention squamous differentiation as a histologic feature, it is typically focal, and overt squamous differentiation was not identified in our cases. Given morphologic overlap with other high-grade carcinomas, diagnosis requires a high index of suspicion.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- The cytologic features of NUT midline carcinoma
- Creators
- Andrew M Bellizzi - Department of Pathology, The Ohio State University Medical Center, Columbus, Ohio, USACynthia BruzziChristopher A FrenchEdward B Stelow
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- Cancer, Vol.117(6), pp.508-515
- DOI
- 10.1002/cncy.20044
- PMID
- 19795508
- NLM abbreviation
- Cancer
- ISSN
- 0008-543X
- eISSN
- 1097-0142
- Publisher
- United States
- Language
- English
- Date published
- 12/25/2009
- Academic Unit
- Pathology
- Record Identifier
- 9984047747802771
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