Cytological diversity of osteosarcoma

Sixty three cases of clinically and radiologically diagnosed osteosarcomas were evaluated by fine needle aspiration cytology over a five year period. Adequate material was obtained in 59 cases. The sites aspirated were femur, tibia, humerus, fibula, scapula and clavicle. The mean age was 16 years. The most frequent morphological type encountered was the pleomorphic tumor (42) the other cytological types were sclerotic (10), chondroid (6), and small cell osteosarcoma (1). Hematoxylin and Eosin stain was better suited for detection of osteoid than routinely done cytological stain. The awareness of this cytological diversity is essential to avoid misinterpretation of osteosarcomas.