"Cercariform" cells: A clue to the cytodiagnosis of transitional cell origin of metastatic neoplasms?

The “cercariform” cell is described as a distinct cytomorphologic clue that may be helpful in the diagnosis of metastatic transitional cell neoplasms, particularly low grade. This cell has a nucleated globular body and a cytoplasmic process with a nontapering, flattened, bulbous or fishtail‐like end. The cercariform cell corresponds to intermediate cells in histologic and ultrastructural preparations of normal urothelium. The cercariform appearance is the result of pseudostratification of both normal and low‐grade neoplastic urothelium. The unique features of cercariform cells make them readily distinguishable from neoplastic squamous cells as well as spindle cells of mesenchymal origin. © 1995 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.