Undifferentiated (embryonal) sarcoma of the liver: fine-needle aspiration cytology and preoperative chemotherapy as an approach to diagnosis and initial treatment. A case report.

The present report describes the case of a 9-year-old girl with an undifferentiated (embryonal) sarcoma of the liver diagnosed by fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC). The smears revealed pleomorphic cells, some with cytoplasmic vacuoles and eosinophilic inclusions, as well as spindle cells and myxoid tissue, cytologic features which appear to be distinctive from any other malignant tumor of the liver. Preoperative chemotherapy was then given using a protocol for high-grade soft-tissue sarcomas (MMT95 953 branch B, SIOP). This scheme induced very good response allowing complete surgery 8 months after diagnosis. The patient is alive and well 11 months after surgery. The combined FNAC-preoperative chemotherapy approach may prove useful for this highly malignant tumor.