Cytologic diagnosis of yolk sac tumor. A report of seven cases.

BACKGROUND

Yolk sac tumor (YST) is a rare neoplasm that affects children and adolescents.

CASES

Fine needle aspiration biopsies from seven patients with YSTs were reviewed. Eosinophilic hyaline cytoplasmic bodies and irregular deposits of basement membrane-like material were easily recognizable in aspiration smears. Some of the tumor cells contained cytoplasmic vacuoles. These features correlated well with histologic appearances.

CONCLUSION

These findings are significant in the fine needle aspiration biopsy diagnosis of YST. A preliminary cytologic diagnosis of this tumor is valuable as a guide in planning further diagnostic studies and therapy.