Alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma of the vulva. Report of two cases.

The cytologic and histologic findings in two cases of the extremely rare alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma of the vulva are reported. The tumor cells in fine needle aspiration smears from one case and tumor imprints from both cases were isolated or were in sheets or reticular patterns. The nuclei were round to oval; only a few cells were multinucleated. The chromatinic material was increased in amount and finely granular. Many mitotic figures were observed. The cytoplasm was scanty in general, but some cells had abundant cytoplasm; cross striations were not recognized. The tumor cells were positive with immunocytochemical stains for desmin, vimentin and myoglobin. Similar findings were observed in biopsy and surgical specimens.