Fine needle aspiration cytologic findings in malignant small cell tumor of the thoracopulmonary region (Askin tumor)

From 1980 to 1992, five cases of Askin tumor were diagnosed by fine needle aspiration cytology at the Shiraz University Hospitals, Namazi, Faghihi and Beheshti, Iran. All patients were female, their ages ranging between 15 and 22 years. Three of them had a mass on the right side and two on the left side of the chest. Chest roentgenography revealed no bone involvement. Two tumors involved the lungs and pleura. Urinary catecholamine levels were within normal limits. The fine needle aspiration smears revealed many small, round malignant cells with indistinct cytoplasm, a high nuclear/cytoplasmic ratio and prominent, multiple nucleoli. Homer-Wright rosettes were seen frequently. The cells were often arranged in rows simulating rouleaux formation. They were positively stained by periodic acid-Schiff stain. The histologic sections confirmed the cytologic diagnosis of Askin tumor. Four of the patients died within 7-11 months after treatment began.