Cytomorphology of glioblastoma metastic to a cervical lymph node diagnosed by fine needle aspiration (FNA): A case report and review of literature

Glioblastoma is an aggressive primary central nervous system tumor with a dismal prognosis. However, extracranial metastases are extremely rare. Very few cases have been reported in the literature. We present a case of a 64-year-old male with glioblastoma metastatic to a cervical lymph node in which the diagnosis was made on fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC). The cytomorphologic features of glioblastoma are distinct, with pleomorphic cells in loosely cohesive clusters with prominent nucleoli, coarsely clumped chromatin and cellular processes. We suggest that FNAC, along with clinical history, is a cost effective, safe, and diagnostically accurate method of diagnosing glioblastoma metastases. Cell block is also helpful in establishing the diagnosis.