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 […]
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 […]
Cysts
Cysts The most common lesions of the breast are solitary and multiple cysts. Aspiration of the cysts is an excellent procedure for both diagnosis and treatment. Following aspiration of the cyst, it is important to palpate the area again to determine whether a residual mass is present, and if so, additional aspirations of the residual […]
Ductal carcinoma, Not Otherwise Specified (NOS)
Invasive ductal carcinoma, Not Otherwise Specified (NOS) Invasive ductal carcinoma is the most common type of breast carcinoma, accounting for approximately 75% of all invasive carcinoma. FNA specimens of ductal carcinoma, Not Otherwise Specified (NOS) usually show cytological features common to all breast carcinomata. Cytological diagnostic features High cellularity Loosely cohesive groups and single atypical […]
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 […]