2017 Volume 56 Issue 6 Pages 297-302
Background : We report herein on a case of metastatic angiosarcoma that appeared similar to clear cell renal cell carcinoma on fine needle aspiration. Giemsa staining was useful for the differential diagnosis.
Case : A man in his 50s presented in poor physical condition. Imaging examinations revealed a retroperitoneal tumor and multiple metastases. On aspiration cytology, there were epithelioid cell clusters in a hemorrhagic background. The epithelioid cells had clear nuclei with prominent nucleoli and vacuolated cytoplasm. Although these cytological findings were similar to those of clear cell renal cell carcinoma, erythrophagocytosis was noted on Giemsa staining.
Histologically, the tumor showed nested proliferation of polygonal cells with large round nuclei. No vascular formation was seen. The tumor cells were positive for CD31 and D2-40. Based on these findings, the tumor was diagnosed as an angiosarcoma.
Conclusion : Giemsa staining highlighted erythrophagocytosis, which is a characteristic of angiosarcoma and is useful in cytological diagnosis.
