The correct answer is C: Small-cell carcinoma
Comment: This was originally diagnosed as a small-cell carcinoma of the lung. However, the cells exceed the size criteria of scanty cytoplasm and a diameter no more than three resting lymphocytic nuclei. The cytoplasm is also abundant. A panel of experts classified this as a small-cell carcinoma of the lung, intermediate grade. The case illustrates the ambiguity in some of our diagnostic criteria.
This Image IQ has been provided by the Center for Genomic Pathology
References:
Travis WD. Lung tumours with neuroendocrine differentiation. Eur J Cancer. 2009 Sep;45 Suppl 1:251-66. Review. PubMed PMID: 19775623.
den Bakker MA, Willemsen S, Grünberg K, Noorduijn LA, van Oosterhout MF, van Suylen RJ, Timens W, Vrugt B, Wiersma-van Tilburg A, Thunnissen FB. Small cell carcinoma of the lung and large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma interobserver variability. Histopathology. 2010 Feb;56(3):356-63. PubMed PMID: 20459535.
