FNA OF EXTRASKELETAL MYXOID CHONDROSARCOMA - CYTOMORPHOLOGIC, EM, ANDX-RAY-MICROANALYSIS FEATURES

Extraskeletal myxoid chondrosarcoma, an unusual soft tissue lesion whi ch preferentially affects the extremities, is a prime candidate for '' pathologist performed'' fine-needle aspirates (FNA) because it prefere ntially affects the extremities [Enzinger and Shiraki, Hum Pathol 1972 ;3:421-435] and is usually an accessible lesion. Cytomorphologically, the neoplasm consists of clusters of fairly uniform cells, lacking car tilaginous differentiation, with a metachromatic matrix when stained w ith Diff-Quik (DQ). While subtle, this neoplasm has distinct features and must be distinguished for other neoplasms in the differential diag nosis because patient evaluation, prognosis, and therapy will vary gre atly. We present a case characteristic of this tumor in which FNA deri ved material was subjected to light microscopy, X-ray microanalysis, a nd immunohistochemical studies; each modality provided data essential to the correct diagnosis. (C) 1994 Wiley-Liss, Inc.