Cytodiagnosis of metastatic amelanotic melanomas by fine-needle aspiration biopsy: adjunctival value of immunocytochemistry and electron microscopy.

BACKGROUND

The cytologic diagnosis (CD) of metastatic amelanotic melanomas (MAM) is challenging because the tumor cells may mimic those of a carcinoma or a sarcoma in cytologic materials obtained by fine-needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB).

METHODS

Thirty-five well documented cases of MAM at different anatomic sites with cytologic evaluation by FNAB were reviewed.

RESULTS

In 31 cases a correct CD was made based on the cytologic and immunocytochemical (IM) findings. The MAMs were characterized by abundant dyshesive pleomorphic malignant cells containing prominent nucleoli and occasional intranuclear cytoplasmic inclusions. The tumor cells stained positively with S-100 and/ or HMB-45 antibodies. There were four cases with unusual cytologic manifestations and equivocal IM characteristics requiring electron microscopic examination (EME) of the aspirated tumor cells to identify intracytoplasmic melanosomes, pre-melanosomes, or microtubules within cisternae of rough endoplasmic reticulum (MCRER) to establish a diagnosis of MAM.

CONCLUSIONS

A correct CD of MAMs may be made in a large number of cases by routine cytologic findings and IM staining with S-100 protein and HMB-45 antibodies. However, EME is necessary to demonstrate melanosomes, premelanosomes, or MCRER in cases with unusual cytologic and equivocal IM manifestations.