Clinical and morphological spectrum of cutaneous metastases on cytology: A study of 225 cases.

INTRODUCTION

Any type of cutaneous metastasis indicates dismal outcome of the disease. Skin is an unusual location for metastatic deposits from any tumour and has an incidence of about 0.8%-5%. Fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) helps in the rapid diagnosis of metastasis with minimum pain.

AIM

To study the cytomorphological spectrum of cutaneous metastasis on FNAC.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

A total of 225 patients with diagnosis of cutaneous metastasis on cytology were analysed. May-Grünwald Giemsa and haematoxylin-eosin-stained smears were studied and examined for the cytomorphological spectrum of cutaneous metastasis. Cell block was prepared in a few cases. In a subset of cases, immunohistochemistry was done to pinpoint the primary.

RESULTS

Amongst the 225 patients studied, the mean age was 53.9 years. There was female preponderance with 125 females and 100 males. The commonest site was abdominal wall (n = 89) followed by chest wall (n = 60). The most common type of metastasising tumour was adenocarcinoma.

CONCLUSION

Clinicians and pathologists must be aware of the clinico-morphological spectrum of cutaneous metastasis for instant diagnosis followed by prompt management.