The Cytology of Subcutaneous Chest Wall Metastasis Originating from Bronchiolo- Alveolar Carcinoma

Abstract

Bronchiolo-alveolar carcinoma with subcutaneous chest wall metastasis is a very rare presentation. A case of 36- year-old male with metastatic subcutaneous chest nodule of bronchiolo-alveolar carcinoma, diagnosed by fine needle aspiration cytology, is reported here. Cutaneous metastases are of diagnostic importance because they may be the first manifestation of an undiscovered internal malignancy and indicates a poor prognostic sign. Fine needle aspiration cytology plays an important role in the early diagnosis of subcutaneous metastasis and helps to differentiate from other subcutaneous nodules like skin adnexal lesions, soft tissue tumors and inflammatory lesions.