THE CYTOPATHOLOGY OF SYNOVIAL SARCOMA - A STUDY OF 6 CASES, WITH EMPHASIS ON ARCHITECTURE AND HISTOPATHOLOGIC CORRELATION

BACKGROUND. In this article, the architectural and cytologic features of synovial sarcoma are described. METHODS, Romanowsky-and Papanicolao u-stained fine-needle aspiration smears and corresponding hematoxylin and eosin sections were retrieved from archival material and examined by light microscopy. RESULTS. Microtissue fragments comprised of spind le cells dominated smears and correlated with fibrosarcoma-like areas prevalent in tissue sections. Characteristic fascicular and whorled pa tterns were apparent, and matrix material representing collagenous str oma varied from fibrillary to hyalinized. Epithelial components includ ed polygonal and rectangular cells isolated from spindle cells, gland- like formations occurring within otherwise spindle cell microtissue fr agments, and clubbed, spindle cell collections lined by flattened epit helial cells. CONCLUSIONS, Features of synovial sarcoma as defined pre viously by histopathology were apparent in cytologic preparations, fac ilitating a primary diagnosis by cytology. (C) 1998 American Cancer So ciety.