Cervical lymph node metastasis of ovarian dysgerminoma: A case report with fine needle aspiration cytology

Diagn Cytopathol. 2020 Apr;48(4):356-359. doi: 10.1002/dc.24351. Epub 2019 Dec 30.

Abstract

Dysgerminoma is a rare germ cell tumor, accounting for 1% to 2% of all malignant ovarian tumors. Here, we report a case of dysgerminoma diagnosed by aspiration cytology of a cervical lymph node. A 20-year-old woman presented with an abdominal mass and left cervical swelling. CT revealed a large pelvic tumor, along with a nodular lesion on the left side of neck. Fine needle aspiration (FNA) cytology of a cervical lymph node showed large atypical cells and small lymphocytes. Immunocytochemical staining on cell block material revealed that these large tumor cells were positive for placental alkaline phosphatase, D2-40, and c-kit. Dysgerminoma was suggested by FNA cytology. Furthermore, bilateral oophorectomy was performed, and histology confirmed the diagnosis of ovarian dysgerminoma. FNA cytology of metastatic lymph nodes along with immunocytochemistry is a useful tool for diagnosis of dysgerminoma.

Keywords: aspiration cytology; dysgerminoma; immunocytochemistry; lymph node metastasis.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Biopsy, Fine-Needle
  • Dysgerminoma* / diagnosis
  • Dysgerminoma* / metabolism
  • Dysgerminoma* / pathology
  • Dysgerminoma* / surgery
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Lymph Nodes* / metabolism
  • Lymph Nodes* / pathology
  • Lymph Nodes* / surgery
  • Lymphatic Metastasis
  • Ovarian Neoplasms* / diagnosis
  • Ovarian Neoplasms* / metabolism
  • Ovarian Neoplasms* / pathology
  • Ovarian Neoplasms* / surgery