Clinical and morphological spectrum of cutaneous metastases on cytology: A study of 225 cases.

INTRODUCTION: Any type of cutaneous metastasis indicates dismal outcome of the disease. Skin is an unusual location for metastatic deposits from any tumour and has an incidence of about 0.8%-5%. Fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) helps in the rapid diagnosis of metastasis with minimum pain. AIM: To study the cytomorphological spectrum of cutaneous metastasis on FNAC. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 225 patients with diagnosis of cutaneous metastasis on cytology were analysed. May-Grünwald Giemsa and haematoxylin-eosin-stained smears were studied and examined for the cytomorphological spectrum of cutaneous metastasis. Cell block was prepared in a few cases. In a subset of cases, immunohistochemistry was done to pinpoint the primary. RESULTS: Amongst the 225 patients studied, the mean age was 53.9 years. There was female preponderance with 125 females and 100 males. The commonest site was abdominal wall (n = 89) followed by chest wall (n = 60). The most common type of metastasising tumour was adenocarcinoma. CONCLUSION: Clinicians and pathologists must be aware of the clinico-morphological spectrum of cutaneous metastasis for instant diagnosis followed by prompt management.