Efficacy of cytology in small round cell tumours

• Author Details:   
• Deepika Rani ^*
• Nidhi Verma

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Background: Malignant small round cell tumours are characterized by small, round, relatively undifferentiated cells sharing similar histology when visualized under light microscope. These typically encompass Ewing’s sarcoma, peripheral neuroectodermal tumour (PNET), rhabdomyosarcoma, synovial sarcoma, non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, retinoblastoma, neuroblastoma, hepatoblastoma, and nephroblastoma commonly known as Wilms’ tumour. Fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) has emerged as a vital diagnostic tool for these types of tumours.

Materials and Methods: This was a retrospective study of all diagnosed cases of pediatric small round cell tumours in Maulana Azad Medical College and Associated LNH Hospital, New Delhi between the period of 2016-2020. 30 cases of pediatric small round cell tumour were studied. Data was analysed using SPSS version 25 and MS Excel. Qualitative data was expressed as frequencies, percentages and proportions. Sensitivity and Specificity of FNAC in categorization of small round cell tumours was calculated.

Results:  In 22 out of 30 cases, FNAC could correctly establish the correct nature of lesion with an overall diagnostic accuracy of 73.3%. Complete concordance (diagnosis of SRCT with further categorization) could be done in 22/30 (73.3%) cases, whereas discordance in subtyping was seen in 8/30 (26.6%) cases.

Conclusion:  FNAC could correctly establish the correct nature of lesion with an overall diagnostic accuracy of 73.3%. Adequate clinical history and classical presentations assisted significantly in arriving at the final diagnosis. Clinical and radiological correlation aided with ancillary techniques increases the diagnostic accuracy of FNAC in Malignant small round cell tumour.

Keywords: Small round cell tumour, Fine needle aspiration cytology, Ewing’s sarcoma, rhabdomyosarcoma, non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, Wilms’ tumour.