Pap stain: Medium power
Cluster of glioblastoma cells with enlarged irregular nuclei and granular to wispy cytoplasm. Compare size to that of lymphocyte in background
Pap stain: High power
Cluster of glioblastoma cells with enlarged irregular nuclei, visible nucleoli, and granular to wispy cytoplasm
Immunostain for GFAP: High power
Cytoplasmic stain for GFAP confirms diagnosis of glioblastoma in the CSF
Features
Notes
• Most common primary malignant brain tumor in adults
• CSF involvement not common
Architecture
• Small cohesive groups
Cellular features
• Large cells, often pleomorphic
• Granular to vacuolated to dense cytoplasm
Nuclear features
• Nuclei irregular and enlarged
• May have multinucleation
Background
• May have necrosis
Reference
• Watson CW et al. Acta Cytol. 1977 Jan-Feb;21(1):40-7.