Invasive Lobular carcinoma
Invasive lobular carcinoma accounts for 5-10% of invasive breast carcinomas. This tumour is often bilateral and multicentric. Histologically, lobular carcinoma consists of infiltrating, small uniform cells with eccentrically placed, mildly hyperchromatic round nuclei and high N/C ratio. The cells can align themselves in a linear pattern or have a targetoid arrangement around ducts. Because of […]
Tubular carcinoma
Tubular carcinoma Tubular carcinoma is a type of breast carcinoma which is usually small in size and is characterized by an excellent prognosis. Histology shows infiltrating, angular to comma-shaped tubular structures consisting of relatively small, uniform cells with round, bland, low-grade nuclei, usually with a prominently desmoplastic stroma. Cytological diagnostic features Mild to moderate cellularity […]
Other rare variants of Breast Carcinoma
Other rare variants of Breast Carcinoma Apocrine carcinoma Apocrine carcinoma is a morphologic variant of ductal carcinoma. FNA smears contain numerous epithelial cells arranged in syncytial fragments along with individually scattered cells. The cells show apocrine features, consisting of abundant basophilic to eosinophilic granular cytoplasm and large nuclei with prominent nucleoli. It can be difficult […]
Phyllodes tumour
Phyllodes tumour Phyllodes tumour is a rare biphasic epithelial and stromal neoplasm of the breast. Most patients are in their fourth or fifth decade of life. The biological behaviour of these tumours is unpredictable, although tumour size, mitotic activity and stromal atypia are histological guidelines for assessing the biological potential. The malignant cases resemble and […]
Papillary carcinoma
Papillary carcinoma Pure papillary carcinoma is rare in breast, although a papillary component may be present in up to 3-4% of breast carcinomas. It typically occurs in postmenopausal women. FNA smears show three-dimensional papillary groupings of cells, some with fibro-vascular cores, with scattered columnar tumour cells and a bloody diathesis with haemosiderin-laden macrophages in the […]
Adenoid cystic carcinoma
Adenoid cystic carcinoma Adenoid cystic carcinoma is a rare type of breast carcinoma, usually associated with an excellent prognosis and generally not resulting in lymph node metastases. Its cytological features are identical to the ones of its more common salivary gland counterpart. The smears consist of nests of small uniform, basaloid cells that are intimately […]
Mastitis
Mastitis FNA cytology of acute mastitis shows yellowish or greenish fluid with numerous neutrophils and foamy macrophages, with abundant background debris. Epithelial atypia resulting from the acute inflammatory process can be seen. Atypical epithelial cells can show features of regeneration and repair, with groups of cells arranged in a flat, streaming pattern with maintainance of […]
Subareaolar abscess
Subareaolar abscess Subareolar abscess is an inflammatory lesion involving the lactiferous ducts in the subareolar region. Squamous metaplasia of the lactiferous duct results in obstruction and subsequent rupture of the duct, with release of keratinous debris into the surrounding stroma. This induces a foreign body reaction, with acute and chronic inflammation. Cytological diagnostic features Squamous […]
Intraductal carcinoma (DCIS)
Intraductal carcinoma (DCIS) Cytological features of intraductal carcinoma (ductal carcinoma in situ, DCIS) vary according to whether a comedo or non-comedo type of DCIS is aspirated, the latter being characterized by intraductal necrosis. DCIS, comedo type – cytological diagnostic features Moderate to high cellularity Loosely cohesive groups and single cells Large pleomorphic cells Abundant necrotic […]
Fat necrosis
Fat necrosis Fat necrosis is a benign breast lesion which can radiologically, clinically and histologically (especially on frozen sections) simulate malignancy. Only a minority of patients report a history of trauma. FNA specimens show necrotic and degenerating adipocytes with amorphous debris, inflammatory cells (neutrophils, plasma cells, lymphocytes) and numerous lipid-laden macrophages (lipophages). Multinucleated foreign body-type […]