Myxofibrosarcoma of soft tissues: Cytomorphologic analysis of a series

Within the English literature, myxofibrosarcoma is a recently described ent ity. Although the histopathologic features have been reported, the cytomorp hologic spectrum of myxofibrosarcoma has been far less documented. The cyto logic findings of six fine-needle aspiration biopsy specimens (five primari es, one local recurrence) from six patients are described. The patients' ag es ranged from 26-77 yr; there were four women and two men. The aspiration biopsy specimens ranged from slightly to markedly cellular. Although a myxo id granular to filamentous background was observed at least focally in all cases, the volume of the myxoid material was inversely proportional to the cellularity and grade of the tumor. Individual tumor cells were round to sp indled, often displaying a wide range of cell shapes and sizes. Nuclei were generally large, pleomorphic, and hyperchromatic, frequently containing pr ominent nucleoli. Cytoplasm ranged from scant to dense and tapering. Multin ucleated tumor giant cells were occasionally observed. In general, low- and intermediate-grade myxofibrosarcomas were more easily recognized in cytolo gic preparations. In contrast, high-grade myxofibrosarcoma was more difficu lt to specifically subtype and not easily distinguished from other adult pl eomorphic sarcomas. (C) 1999 Wiley-Liss, Inc.