CYTOLOGY OF VULVAR SQUAMOUS NEOPLASIA

Cytologic findings on various vulvar squamous lesions are described in order to elucidate the usefulness of vulvar cytology. Lichen sclerosu s, hyperplastic dystrophy and dysplasia with a few exfoliated anucleat e squamous cells could not be differentiated cytologically. Numerous p arakeratotic cells and dyskaryotic cells were identified in squamous c ell carcinoma in situ. Three cytologic patterns were presented in case s of frankly invasive squamous cell carcinoma: negative cytology with parakeratotic cells, suspicious cytology with dyskaryotic cells and po sitive cytology with malignant cells. Verrucous carcinoma yielded only anucleate squamous cells. Parakeratotic cells without nuclear atypia seemed to be neoplastic cells on vulvar cytology.