CHONDROSARCOMA DIAGNOSED BY FINE-NEEDLE ASPIRATION CYTOLOGY

OBJECTIVE: To define and discuss the cytologic findings in 6 conventio nal chondrosarcomas (CS), 1 chondroblastic osteosarcoma, 1 extraskelet al myxoid CS and 20 chondroma cases. STUDY DESIGN: Study of fine needl e aspiration cytology (FNAC) of cases air dried and May-Grunwald-Giems a stained. RESULTS: Tumor cells were embedded in a pink, amorphous, ch ondroid matrix in conventional CS. They were larger than chondroma cel ls and had vacuoles and small, pink, chondroid substance-like granules . Chondroblastic osterosarcoma was diagnosed as high grade CS by FNAC, but extremely pleomorphic chondrocytes, osteoid matrix, osteoblastic cells, and clinical and radiologic findings should have produced the p roper diagnosis. Extraskeletal myxoid CS had a pinkish, granular, myxo id background. The tumor cells had granulated, dark blue cytoplasm and oval-round, lobulated, slightly indented, hyperchromatic nuclei. CONC LUSION: FNAC is efficient for the diagnosis of CS and its variants as long as it is evaluated with radiologic and clinical findings by a pat hologist familiar with bone pathology and cytology.