The arrows point to rosette-like structures. In this specimen, the majority of cells were small lymphocyte-like cells arranged in masses without any true pattern, therefore, lymphoma was among the possibilities. However, careful examination of the slides revealed a small section with the above organization. This type of organization is typical of neuroblastoma where the tumor cells are at the periphery and the young nerve fibils grow into the center of the rosettes. At this point special stains for neural tissue were ordered the flow cytometry lab was contacted and CD56 was added to the panel being run. CD56 marks NK cells, and neuronal homotypic adhesion molecules (found on neuronal cells).
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