Fine needle aspiration cytology of desmoplastic malignant melanoma. A case report

The cytologic features of a recurrent desmoplastic malignant melanoma (DMM) examined by fine needle aspiration biopsy are reported. Cytologic examination revealed multiple microtissue fragments as well as smaller, dissociative aggregates composed predominantly of spindle-shaped neoplastic cells with hyperchromatic nuclei, small but prominent nucleoli and no cytoplasmic pigment or intranuclear pseudoinclusions. The tumor cells exhibited weak cytoplasmic staining for S-100 protein. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first reported case report describing the cytologic findings of DMM. Problems in differential diagnosis are discussed.