Diagnosis of Kaposi's sarcoma by fine-needle aspiration biopsy

Abstract

Fifteen cases of Kaposi's sarcoma diagnosed by fine-needle aspiration biopsy were reviewed. The diagnosis was confirmed by tissue biopsy in eight of the cases. All of the patients were homosexual males, and 13 had a previous diagnosis of AIDS. The aspirates were obtained from enlarged lymph nodes (five cases), soft-tissue masses (two cases), oral cavity lesions (seven cases), and an abdominal mass. The most characteristic cytologic features were intact tissue fragments composed of overlapping spindle cells with nuclear distortion and ill-defined cytoplasmic borders. Smaller groups of loosely cohesive spindle-shaped cells and individual spindle cells with cytoplasm were also helpful features. In the appropriate clinical setting, these cytologic features on FNAB are felt to be diagnostic of Kaposi's sarcoma.