The Korean Journal of Cytopathology (대한세포병리학회지)

The Korean Society for Cytopathology (대한세포병리학회)
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Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology of the Warthin's Tumor Misinterpretated as Squamous Cell Carcinoma -A Case Report-

편평세포암종으로 오인된 와르틴 종양의 세침흡인 세포소견 -증례 보고-

  • Lee, Kyung-Ji (Department of Clinical Pathology, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea) ;
  • Jung, Chan-Kwon (Department of Clinical Pathology, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea) ;
  • Lee, Ah-Won (Department of Clinical Pathology, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea) ;
  • Kang, Chang-Suk (Department of Clinical Pathology, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea) ;
  • Lee, Kyo-Young (Department of Clinical Pathology, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea)
  • 이경지 (가톨릭대학교 의과대학 임상병리학교실) ;
  • 정찬권 (가톨릭대학교 의과대학 임상병리학교실) ;
  • 이아원 (가톨릭대학교 의과대학 임상병리학교실) ;
  • 강창석 (가톨릭대학교 의과대학 임상병리학교실) ;
  • 이교영 (가톨릭대학교 의과대학 임상병리학교실)
  • Published : 2005.11.30
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Abstract

We report a case of Warthin's tumor of the parotid gland in a 53 year old man, which is incorrectly diagnosed as squamous cell carcinoma. Fine needle aspiration cytology(FNAC) smear obtained from the right parotid gland revealed scattered epithelial cell clusters or nests in a diffuse inflammatory and necrotic background. Some epithelial cells had squamoid appearance showing variable sized bizarre shaped nuclei. They had abundant of dense eosinophilic keratinized cytoplasm. Occasionally, parakeratotic cells were also present. These cytologic findings with significant atypia and necrotic background made diagnosis as squamous cell carcinoma. But, the resection specimen from this patient showed classic Warthin's tumor in addition to abundant areas of inflammation and squamous metaplasia. Metaplastic or infarcted Warthin's tumor in the salivary gland may be confused with false positive diagnosis of malignancy on FNAC. Therefore, cytopathologist should have adequate awareness of potential of erroneous diagnosis in FNAC of Warthin's tumor.

Keywords

References

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