Cytological features in eight patients with ALK-rearranged lung cancer

Background

ALK-rearranged lung cancer has been recently identified. Although signet-ring cell morphology and mucinous cribriform pattern are considered to be characteristic of ALK-rearranged lung cancer. Some studies have also suggested cytological features.

Methods

This study investigated cytological features of ALK-rearranged lung cancer in eight patients.

Results

Cytologically, the tumor cell group varied from isolated to large clusters. Small nucleoli, fine granular to vesicular chromatin, and nuclear groove were observed in all patients. Furthermore, extracellular and intracellular mucin and signet-ring cells were identified in five patients.

Conclusion

This study demonstrated that the presence of extracellular and intracellular mucin, signet-ring cells, small nucleoli, fine granular to vesicular chromatin, and nuclear groove in cytological samples may be a diagnostic clue for ALK-rearranged lung cancer.

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