The diagnosis of malignancy in effusion cytology: a pattern recognition approach
Telma C Pereira1, Reda S Saad, Yulin Liu
1Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Allegheny General Hospital, Pittsburgh, PA 15212, and Drexel University College of Medicine, USA. tpereira@wpahs.org
Advances in Anatomic Pathology
|July 22, 2006
Abstract:
This review presents a pattern recognition approach for the diagnosis of malignant effusions. The cytomorphologic features of reactive mesothelial proliferation, mesothelioma and metastatic carcinoma are presented. In addition, the role of ancillary studies in challenging cases and the importance of integrating clinical findings are stressed. An algorithmic approach to the workup of serous effusions as well as pitfalls for false-positive diagnosis are discussed.
