Fine‐needle aspiration of lipoblastoma: Cytological, molecular, and clinical features. Issue 12 (13th September 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Ferreira, Joana; Esteves, Gonçalo; Fonseca, Ricardo; Martins, Carmo; André, Saudade; Lemos, Maria Manuel
• Is Part Of: Cancer cytopathology. Volume 125:Issue 12(2017)
• Page Start: 934
• Page End: 939
• Publication Date: 2017-09-13
• Subjects: lipoblastoma -- fine‐needle biopsy -- gene -- myxoid liposarcoma; Cancer -- Cytopathology -- Periodicals; Pathology, Cellular -- Periodicals; Cytology -- Technique -- Periodicals; 611.01815
• DOI: 10.1002/cncy.21916
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1934-662X

Abstract

Abstract : BACKGROUND: Lipoblastomas are rare, benign adipocytic tumors that present mostly during infancy. In about 70% of cases, these tumors carry abnormalities in chromosome 8, mainly leading to rearrangements of the PLAG1 gene. METHODS: We report a series of histologically proven lipoblastomas with previous fine‐needle aspiration (FNA) cytology from 9 patients (n = 10 samples) and describe their clinical, cytological, and molecular features. RESULTS: Our cohort included 5 boys and 4 girls (median age, 2.5 years [range, 10 months to 13 years]) who presented with soft tissue masses in the thorax (n = 3), abdomen (n = 2), axilla (n = 2), and thigh (n = 2). In 1 patient, the FNA diagnosis was inconclusive due to hypocellularity, and in another patient a diagnosis of benign lipomatous tumor was made. In the remaining 8 samples (one of which confirmed relapse), a correct preoperative FNA diagnosis was rendered. Smears were hypo‐ to moderately cellular and contained fragments of mature adipose tissue with thin branching vessels admixed with some lipoblasts in a myxoid matrix. Spindle cells and naked oval nuclei with no atypia were observed in the background. Of the 4 patients tested for PLAG1 rearrangement using FISH probes, 3 harbored this alteration (1 was made on a FNA smear and 1 was made in a tumor imprint). All the patients are alive and well, except for 1 patient with a retroperitoneal tumor who, after an initial incomplete excision, died of local disease progression. CONCLUSION: FNA, especially if used together with molecular biology techniques (eg, PLAG1 FISH analysis), is a reliable and accurate diagnostic tool. Cancer Cytopathol 2017;125:934‐9 . © 2017 American Cancer Society . Abstract : Lipoblastomas are rare pediatric neoplasms. Cytology, if used in conjunction with molecular biology techniques ( PLAG1 FISH analysis), is a reliable and accurate diagnostic tool.