CYTOLOGIC DIAGNOSIS OF YOLK-SAC TUMOR - A REPORT OF 7 CASES

BACKGROUND: Yolk sac tumor (YST) is a rare neoplasm that affects child ren and adolescents. CASES: Fine needle aspiration biopsies from seven patients with YSTs were reviewed. Eosinophilic hyaline cytoplasmic bo dies and irregular deposits of basement membrane-like material were ea sily recognizable in aspiration smears. Some of the tumor cells contai ned cytoplasmic vacuoles. These features correlated well with histolog ic appearances. CONCLUSION: These findings are significant in the fine needle aspiration biopsy diagnosis of YST. A preliminary cytologic di agnosis of this tumor is valuable as a guide in planning further diagn ostic studies and therapy.