General: Practice Question

Question

A tigroid background may be seen in all of the following neoplasms EXCEPT:

Answer Choices

  1. Dedifferentiated liposarcoma
  2. Ewing sarcoma
  3. Hepatocellular carcinoma, clear cell variant
  4. Seminoma
  5. Clear cell sarcoma of soft tissue
Show Answer and Explanations

Dedifferentiated liposarcoma — Correct answer

Correct. These cells do not contain glycogen cytoplasmic vacuoles, so a tigroid background does not occur.

Ewing sarcoma

Incorrect. A tigroid background is seen in Ewing sarcoma.

Hepatocellular carcinoma, clear cell variant

Incorrect. A tigroid background is seen in the clear cell variant of HCC

Seminoma

Incorrect. A tigroid background is classic for seminoma.

Clear cell sarcoma of soft tissue

Incorrect. A tigroid or clean background may be seen in clear cell sarcoma.

Summary

Summary; Dispersal of cytoplasmic glycogen onto cytology smears results in a mottled or “tigroid” background. Although this feature is classically associated with seminomas/dysgerminomas, other tumors with cytoplasmic glycogen vacuoles can replicate this effect. Examples include clear cell sarcoma of soft tissue, Ewing sarcoma, and the clear cell variant of hepatocellular carcinoma.
Try a Sample Exam

Free account required. No subscription needed.