Differences Between Malignant Effusion and Mesothelial Cells

 

 

Uploaded: 2007-08-16,  Updated: 2007-08-16

 

 

Malignant Effusion

Mesothelial Cells
Patterns Foreign cells with foreign features Relatively uniform features
Cell Groups Large clumps, cell balls, papillae, glandular pattern; lymphoma, melanoma, sarcoma may shed single cells May form aggregates, usually not large
Group Contours Smooth outlines/community border Knobby or flower-like outline
Cell Shapes Round up or pleomorphic Uniform or reactive atypia
Cell Surface Well-defined, no cilia fairly defined
Cytoplasm vacuoles, mucin, melanin, keratin, lumen Relatively uniform, denser center, pale periphery
Nuclei High N/C, enlarged, round or irregular nuclear membrane Centrally located, round to oval
Chromatin Irregular, coarse, darker Regular, finely, paler
Nucleolus Maybe distinct Distinct
Background Bloody, lymphocytosis, lipophage Clean, of inflammation

 

Reference
 

  • The art and science of cytopathology. Richard M Demay, MD. 1996
  Summarized by Zenggang Pan, MD, PhD