Inclusions of benign nevus cells in the capsule of axillary lymph nodes in three cases of breast cancer

Three cases of breast carcinoma are reported in which the capsule of an axillary lymph node contained inclusions of benign-appearing nevus cells. The lesions were exclusively limited to the lymph node capsule without involvement of peripheric sinus or parenchyma. In one case, another lymph node presented a metastasis histologically identical to the primary neoplasm. The differential diagnosis with the carcinomatous metastasis and the possible origin of these inclusions are discussed.