PMC1276821_01
Aspiration cytology of the tumor before treatment showing scattered atypical spindle cells (arrows) (Giemsa staining, high power view x400).
1477-7819-3-65-1.jpg
PMC1276821_01_1477-7819-3-65-1.jpg
F1
A 46-year-old female with symptoms of hoarseness and Horner's syndrome presented with a left cervical mass that was diagnosed to be undifferentiated carcinoma based on the findings of aspiration cytology (Figure 1). Both cytological and histological examinations revealed 1) Continuity between the vagus nerve and tumor was seen, while the no continuity between the tumor and the sympathetic nerve was found. 2) The findings of aspiration cytology of the tumor diagnosing it to be undifferentiated carcinoma before the treatment included an atypical spindle cell. (Figure 1). 3) The predominantly tumor consisted of necrotic tissue and a few viable atypical spindle cells (Figure 4A) which were positive for S-100 protein (Figure 4B).
Chest CT showed a mass, measuring 5.0 cm in size in the upper mediastinum.
1477-7819-3-65-2.jpg
PMC1276821_01_1477-7819-3-65-2.jpg
F2
The patient's chest computed tomography (CT) findings showed a mass measuring 5.0 cm in size spreading from the left upper mediastinum to the left supraclavicular area, which pressed against both the trachea and esophagus and it seemed to involve the left common carotid artery (Figure 2).
Macroscopic findings of the tumor. The tumor showing the continuity of the vagus nerve (arrow head) was whitish in color and oval shaped while measuring 5 x 3 cm in diameter.
1477-7819-3-65-3.jpg
PMC1276821_01_1477-7819-3-65-3.jpg
F3
Grossly, the tumor was in continuity of the vagus nerve was whitish in color and oval shaped measuring 5 x 3 cm in diameter (Figure 3).
Histological findings of the tumor. 4A) The tumor was found to consist of a few of viable atypical spindle cells with hyperchromatic nuclei (Hematoxilin-eosin staining x200) 4B). Tumor cells were positive for S-100 protein (immunohistochemical staining, original magnification: X200).
1477-7819-3-65-4.jpg
PMC1276821_01_1477-7819-3-65-4.jpg
F4
Both cytological and histological examinations revealed 1) Continuity between the vagus nerve and tumor was seen, while the no continuity between the tumor and the sympathetic nerve was found. 2) The findings of aspiration cytology of the tumor diagnosing it to be undifferentiated carcinoma before the treatment included an atypical spindle cell. (Figure 1). 3) The predominantly tumor consisted of necrotic tissue and a few viable atypical spindle cells (Figure 4A) which were positive for S-100 protein (Figure 4B).