Oncocytic and oncocyte-like lesions of the head and neck

Ann Diagn Pathol. 2008 Jun;12(3):222-30. doi: 10.1016/j.anndiagpath.2008.04.007.

Abstract

An oncocyte is a cell containing an abundant amount of deeply eosinophilic finely granular cytoplasm, rounded nuclei, and variable presence of nucleoli in conventional hematoxylin-eosin-stained sections. In the head and neck, a small number of lesions are constructed overwhelmingly of oncocytes; a larger number of nononcocytic lesions composed of cells that imitate this morphology are also encountered. Correlating the fine-needle aspiration cytology and histology of both oncocytic and oncocyte-like neoplasms can assist in avoiding interpretive pitfalls among these lesions.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adenoma, Oxyphilic / pathology
  • Biopsy, Fine-Needle
  • Head and Neck Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Humans
  • Oxyphil Cells / pathology*
  • Salivary Gland Neoplasms / pathology
  • Thyroid Neoplasms / pathology