Cytologic Findings of Clear Cell Carcinoma of Ovary

Park, Ji Young; Kim, Hye Sun; Choi, Jong Sun

Abstract

The objective of this study was to evaluate the cytomorphologic features of histologically confirmed clear cell carcinoma of the ovary and to evaluate the applicability of scrape or fine-needle aspiration cytology in making an intraoperative diagnosis. We reviewed scrape or fine-needle aspiration cytology findings in tissues taken from 6 patients with clear cell carcinoma of the ovary. The cytologic diagnosis was based primarily on findings in alcohol-fixed, hematoxylin-eosin (H-E) stained smears. The formation of material resembling a basement membrane was a characteristic finding in these smears. This extracellular hyaline material was stained light pink with H-E and was frequently found within tumor cell clusters as well as in the background material. Multinucleated giant cells were found occasionally. Each tumor cell had an abundant, clear, or granular cytoplasm with a distinct cellular membrane. Scrape cytology is a simple and rapid supportive method and could be helpful in diagnosing clear cell carcinoma of the ovary, especially when marked artifacts appear in the frozen section.