“Dedifferentiated” chordoma: A case report of the cytomorphologic findings on fine-needle aspiration

Diagnostic CytopathologyVolume 19, Issue 5 p. 378-381 Brief Report "Dedifferentiated" chordoma: A case report of the cytomorphologic findings on fine-needle aspiration Lester J. Layfield M.D., Corresponding Author Lester J. Layfield M.D. Department of Pathology, University of Utah Health Sciences Center, Salt Lake City, UtahDepartment of Pathology, University of Utah Health Sciences Center, 50 N. Medical Drive, Salt Lake City, UT 84132.Search for more papers by this authorKatharine Liu M.D., Katharine Liu M.D. Department of Pathology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North CarolinaSearch for more papers by this authorLeslie G. Dodd M.D., Leslie G. Dodd M.D. Department of Pathology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North CarolinaSearch for more papers by this authorBabatunde A. Olatidoye M.D., Babatunde A. Olatidoye M.D. Department of Pathology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North CarolinaSearch for more papers by this author Lester J. Layfield M.D., Corresponding Author Lester J. Layfield M.D. Department of Pathology, University of Utah Health Sciences Center, Salt Lake City, UtahDepartment of Pathology, University of Utah Health Sciences Center, 50 N. Medical Drive, Salt Lake City, UT 84132.Search for more papers by this authorKatharine Liu M.D., Katharine Liu M.D. Department of Pathology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North CarolinaSearch for more papers by this authorLeslie G. Dodd M.D., Leslie G. Dodd M.D. Department of Pathology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North CarolinaSearch for more papers by this authorBabatunde A. Olatidoye M.D., Babatunde A. Olatidoye M.D. Department of Pathology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North CarolinaSearch for more papers by this author First published: 11 December 1998 https://doi.org/10.1002/(SICI)1097-0339(199811)19:5<378::AID-DC14>3.0.CO;2-CCitations: 16AboutPDF ToolsRequest permissionExport citationAdd to favoritesTrack citation ShareShare Give accessShare full text accessShare full-text accessPlease review our Terms and Conditions of Use and check box below to share full-text version of article.I have read and accept the Wiley Online Library Terms and Conditions of UseShareable LinkUse the link below to share a full-text version of this article with your friends and colleagues. Learn more.Copy URL Share a linkShare onEmailFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditWechat Abstract Chordomas are relatively rare neoplasms occurring at both ends of a neuro axis. The majority follow an indolent course of multiple local recurrences, ultimately leading to the patient's death. Rare examples have been associated with sarcomatous components, usually resembling malignant fibrous histiocytoma, fibrosarcoma, or osteosarcoma. These tumors have followed a more aggressive course, with poor response to treatment and death following a relatively short time course. Cytologic material from a single case obtained by fine-needle aspiration revealed a high-grade malignancy composed of short atypical spindle cells containing modest amounts of granular cytoplasm. Physaliphorous cells were absent, and myxoid material was not a significant component of the smears. Rare polygonal cells with foamy cytoplasm were identified. Histologic study revealed a high-grade spindle-cell sarcoma in which were scattered small aggregates of vacuolated cells resembling physaliphorous cells. Anaplastic giant cells were present, and the overall appearance of the neoplasm resembled a malignant fibrous histiocytoma. 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