Needle aspiration cytology of chondrosarcomas

The rarity of chondrosarcomas, limited experience with the spectrum of histopathologic and cytologic features, and the drastic treatment options that ensue present a diagnostic challenge to many cytopathologists who interpret needle aspirate biopsies of these neoplasms. Twelve fine needle (FNA) aspirates were performed at University Hospitals of Cleveland on eight patients with primary (three), locally recurrent (seven) or metastatic (two) chondrosarcoma between 1980 and 1991. The cytologic features of chondrosarcoma in all three clinical settings were characterized by the presence of isolated or loosely cohesive aggregates of oval or polygonal chondrocytes with vacuolated or granular cytoplasm and a background of chondroid matrix. FNA cytology is utilized most commonly in the diagnosis of recurrent and metastatic chondrosarcoma. FNA cytology, when employed in the diagnosis of chondrosarcoma, necessitates the same considerations employed in evaluating surgical biopsies. They include (1) the cytologic features and their limitations and differential diagnoses, (2) the clinical and radiographic data, and (3) the clinical impact of the cytologic diagnosis.