Fibrosarcoma 1.5%3 17.

4%2

Melanocytoma/malignant
melanoma 3-4%/0.8-2%3 1.3%/0.4-2.8%3

Hemangiopericytoma 4.4%2-7%3

Round
cell
tumors
typically
are
identified
on
smears
by
the
presence
of
individualized
round
cells
with
round
nuclei.
Cytoplasmic
and
nuclear
features
vary
between
cell
types.
In
some
instances,
tumors
that
are
generally
classified
as
“mesenchymal”
will
have
a
round-cell
morphology.
For
example,
melanoma
cells
can
be
found
as
round,
polygonal,
spindle
and
even
in
cohesive-appearing
sheets.
Also,
there
are
rare
cases
of
cutaneous
metastasis
of
osteosarcoma
and
the
neoplastic
cells
in
primary
and
metastatic
sites
for
osteosarcoma
can
mainly
be
round.
Epithelial
tumors
typically
are
identified
by
the
presence
of
cohesive
sheets,
whereas
individualized
cells
occur
less
frequently
(e.g.,
with
squamous
cell
carcinoma).
The
cytoplasm
can
vary
in
appearance
and
if
the
lesion
is
of
glandular
origin
the
cytoplasm
may
contain
secretory
vacuoles.
With
cystic
hair
follicle
tumors
and
similar
lesions,
it
is
common
that
FNA
might
yield
predominantly
dense
aggregates
of
mature
anucleate
keratinocytes
with
minimal
or
no
representation
of
the
wall
of
the
cyst,
making
it
difficult
to
arrive
at
a
specific
diagnosis.
In
such
cases,
it
is
important
to
consider
performing
a
biopsy,
as
it
will
allow
for
architectural
assessment
of
the
cyst
wall
and
for
presence
of
additional
features
such
as
inflammation
in
foci
where
the
cyst
may
have
ruptured
or
even
features
that
might
suggest
a
less
common
malignancy.
Mesenchymal
tumors
are
identified
by
the
presence
of
individualized
cells
that
often
have
spindle
or
polygonal
shape
(though
round
cell
forms
certainly
are
possible).
The
cytoplasmic
margins
of
the
cells
often
are
tapered
and
occasionally
indistinct.
Nuclei
may
be
round
or
oval
and
again,
cytoplasmic
and
nuclear
features
can
vary
between
lesions.
The
number
of
cells
that
exfoliate
with
mesenchymal
lesions
can
vary,
ranging
from
sparse
to
abundant.
With
high-yield
smears,
dense
clusters
of
spindle
cells
can
be
found;
scrutiny
often
allows
the
evaluator
to
realize
that
the
clusters
are
not
truly
cohesive.
Benign
lipomas
are
included
in
the
mesenchymal
category
and
may
be
underrepresented
in
literature
reports.
Aspiration
of
adipocyte
sheets
is
a
common
finding.
Interpreting
the
significance
of
the
adipocyte
sheets
in
absence
of
a
good
clinical
history
is
a
challenge
since
aspiration
of
normal
subcuticular
fat
can
have
identical
cytomorphologic
appearance
as
a
lipoma.
This
is
important
because
if
a
cutaneous
lesion
is
targeted
but
the
needle
misses
the
mass
and
only
the
surrounding
subcuticular
fat
is
retrieved,
an
erroneous
diagnosis
of
a
lipoma
could
be
made.
If
a
lesion
is
clinically
suspected
to
be
something
other
than
a
lipoma
and
only
adipocytes
are
retrieved
during
aspiration,
re-collection
of
an
aspirate
(or
biopsy
of
the
lesion)
may
be
indicated.

When to Biopsy
Since
FNA
typically
can
lead
to
a
diagnosis
quickly,
clinicians
often
await
the
results
of
the
FNA
prior
to
deciding
whether
to
collect
a
biopsy
of
a
lesion.
However,
both
types
of
samples
can
certainly
be
collected
and
submitted
concurrently.
If
the
samples
are
collected
at
the
same
time,
the
clinician
also
has
the
option
of
preserving
the
biopsy
in
formalin
and
deciding
to
submit
it
if
the
FNA
results
do
not
provide
a
definitive
diagnosis.
Cytopathologic
evaluation
has
advantages,
though
a
more
complete
“picture”
of
a
process
can
be
created
when
cytology
smear
results
are
combined
with
biopsy
results.
Histologic
evaluation
of
a
biopsy
does
not
provide
as
much
detail
with
respect
to
individual
cell
morphology.
However,
the
major
advantage
is
that
architectural
features
can
be
assessed,
which
can
be
highly
informative.
For
example,
when
pathologists
evaluate
mammary
masses,
histologic
evaluation
is
critical
since
identification
of
features
such
as
capsular
invasion
and
lymphatic
invasion
(which
cannot
be
assessed
during
cytopathologic
evaluation
of
an
FNA
smear)
will
distinguish
between
a
benign
and
malignant
lesion
if
the
tumor's
cytomorphology
is
not
convincingly
definitive.

References
1.
Raskin
RE.
Skin
and
subcutaneous
tissues.
Raskin
RE,
Meyer
D.
Canine
and
feline
cytology:
a
color
atlas
and
interpretation
guide.
Saunders:
St
Louis;
2010:36.
2.
Hauck
ML.
Tumors
of
the
skin
and
subcutaneous
tissues.
Vail
DM,
Withrow
SJ,
Page
R.
Withrow
&
Mac​Ewen's
small
animal
clinical
oncology.
ed
5.
Elsevier:
St
Louis;
2013:306.
3.
Gross
TL,
Ihrke
PJ,
Walder
EJ,
et
al.
Skin
diseases
of
the
dog
and
cat:
clinical
and
histopathologic
diagnosis.
ed
2.
Blackwell
Science:
Hoboken,
NJ;
2005:582
[616-626,
659-662,
723,
762-767,
815-827,
867,
876].

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