Background: Desmoplastic small round cell tumor (DSRCT) is a distinctive clinicopathologic entity with an aggressive clinical course that typically involves the abdominal and/or pelvic peritoneum of young males. A population of small round blue cells and a fibroesclerotic stroma are the usual morphologic features. This tumor is characterized by a typical polyphenotypic profile with expression of epithelial, mesenchymal and neural markers. Cytogenetically, this tumor presents a unique abnormality – t(11;22)(p13;q12). Case: A 29-year-old male without significant medical history was admitted to our institution with gastrointestinal symptomatology. The physical examination and medical imaging studies revealed an extensive soft tissue mass filling the entire peritoneal cavity/pelvis. A fine-needle aspiration (FNA) of the abdominal mass was performed. The FNA smears revealed fragments of collagenous desmoplastic stroma and clusters of loosely cohesive small round cells that showed positivity for epithelial and myogenic markers. Cytogenetic analysis demonstrated rearrangement of the genes EWSR1 and WT1, resulting from the t(11;22)(p13;q12). Conclusion: DSRCT is an uncommon neoplasm that shares clinical and cytomorphologic features with other small round cell tumors. Therefore, a primary definitive diagnosis based on cytology specimens may be difficult but plausible and can be aided by a typical clinical presentation and ancillary immunocytochemical/cytogenetic studies.

Keywords:
Desmoplastic small round cell tumor, Cytopathology, Cytogenetics, Fine-needle aspiration
© 2012 S. Karger AG, Basel
2012
Copyright / Drug Dosage / Disclaimer
Copyright: All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be translated into other languages, reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, microcopying, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.
Drug Dosage: The authors and the publisher have exerted every effort to ensure that drug selection and dosage set forth in this text are in accord with current recommendations and practice at the time of publication. However, in view of ongoing research, changes in government regulations, and the constant flow of information relating to drug therapy and drug reactions, the reader is urged to check the package insert for each drug for any changes in indications and dosage and for added warnings and precautions. This is particularly important when the recommended agent is a new and/or infrequently employed drug.
Disclaimer: The statements, opinions and data contained in this publication are solely those of the individual authors and contributors and not of the publishers and the editor(s). The appearance of advertisements or/and product references in the publication is not a warranty, endorsement, or approval of the products or services advertised or of their effectiveness, quality or safety. The publisher and the editor(s) disclaim responsibility for any injury to persons or property resulting from any ideas, methods, instructions or products referred to in the content or advertisements.
You do not currently have access to this content.