N. Paksoy et al., BRONCHIOLOALVEOLAR CARCINOMA IN PROGRESSIVE SYSTEMIC-SCLEROSIS - REPORT OF A CASE DIAGNOSED BY FINE-NEEDLE ASPIRATION CYTOLOGY, Acta cytologica, 39(6), 1995, pp. 1182-1186
BACKGROUND: Progressive systemic sclerosis (PSS) is a systemic disorde
r involving many internal organs, including the lungs. The occurrence
of a pulmonary tumor has occasionally been reported, especially in lon
g standing cases. Bronchioloalveolar carcinoma is the most prevalent h
istologic type. CASE: A 35-year-old male with a 12-year history of PSS
presented with exertional dyspnea and pain in the left side of the ch
est. Fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) showed abundant cellular m
aterial with large, monolayered sheets and papillary structures. The n
eoplastic cells had uniform round to oval nuclei and spacious cytoplas
m. Some had intranuclear vacuoles. Phosphotungstic acid-hematoxylin (P
TAH) stain revealed structures in the form of prominent cell membranes
rimming the free surfaces of the tumor cells. The overall cytologic p
icture was interpreted as consistent with bronchioloalveolar carcinoma
. The patient's condition did not permit surgery. CONCLUSION: In this
case the development of bronchioloalveolar carcinoma occurred over a 1
2-year period following the diagnosis of PSS. This case emphasizes dia
gnosis of the tumor solely by FNAC. PTAH stain was also helpful in the
cytologic diagnosis.