The gray zone in breast fine needle aspiration cytology. How to report on it?

OBJECTIVE: To study the "gray zone" in breast fine needle aspiration cytology in which an unequivocal diagnosis cannot be reached with fine needle aspiration cytology findings. STUDY DESIGN: This study compared cytology and histopathology of 72 breast lesions in which an initial cytologic diagnosis of atypia was given. RESULTS: There were 36 benign (50%) and 36 malignant (50%) histologic biopsy cases in the cytologic atypia group. Anisonucleosis, chromatin and nuclear membrane irregularity, and presence of myoepithelial cells were significantly different in benign and malignant cases. CONCLUSION: The gray zone in breast fine needle aspiration cytology is a broad spectrum that changes from proliferative fibrocystic disease to sclerosing adenosis to malignancy. Diagnosing gray zone pathology as atypical in fine needle aspiration cytology causes no delay in treatment as excisional biopsy is recommended for all equivocal cases.     

Fine needle aspiration cytology of invasive cribriform carcinoma of the breast with osteoclastlike giant cells: a case report

BACKGROUND: Nonneoplastic osteoclastlike giant cells are occasionally associated with carcinoma of the breast, pancreatobiliary and gastrointestinal systems. In the breast, this uncommon stromal response is seen mainly in invasive carcinoma with low grade cytology, among which invasive cribriform carcinoma is the classic example. Details of the fine needle aspiration cytology of this phenomenon, especially in thin-layer preparations, have been described rarely. CASE: The fine needle aspiration cytology of an invasive cribriform carcinoma of the breast occurred in a 66-year-old woman. Cytology showed cohesive sheets and three-dimensional cribriform clusters of bland-looking and mitotically inactive ductal cells in a blood-stained background. Scattered multinucleated, osteoclastlike giant cells, some containing hemosiderin granules, were also seen. Myoepithelial cells and naked nuclei were not obvious. The cellular composition was more discernible in liquid-based cytologic preparations. Histologic examination of the excisional biopsy showed an invasive cribriform carcinoma associated with many osteoclastlike giant cells in a hypervascular stroma. CONCLUSION: In view of the extremely low grade cytology of the malignant ductal cells, invasive cribriform carcinoma may closely mimic benign proliferative breast diseases on fine needle aspiration biopsy. Recognition of this special relationship with osteoclastlike giant cells, which are rarely present in certain subtypes of breast cancer but not benign lesions, can help to arrive at a correct cytologic diagnosis.     

ASPIRATION OF BREAST CYSTS

In 1,364 cases of breast cyst aspiration reported in the literature, there is no note of a missed diagnosis of carcinoma.The author carried out needle aspiration in 80 patients with a definite mass in the breast as a therapeutic or diagnostic procedure.A diagnosis must be established for every definite mass in the breast and needle aspiration is a logical diagnostic procedure. If the needle encounters a solid mass, the mass must be removed for biopsy. If the needle encounters a cyst containing fluid, the fluid should be removed completely. A biopsy specimen then should be taken from the mass if (a) the fluid is bloody, (b) the mass does not entirely disappear, or (c) the mass recurs promptly. Adherence to these rules will keep the examining physician from missing a carcinoma within the cyst.Aspiration of breast cysts is a simple and safe diagnostic and therapeutic procedure that saves the patient distress and money.     

Secretory carcinoma of the breast in an adult. Correlation of aspiration cytology and histology on the biopsy specimen

Needle aspiration was performed on the excisional biopsy specimen of a breast mass in a 63-year-old woman. The cytologic features in the aspirate included solid and papillary proliferations of tumor cells with abundant intracytoplasmic vacuolization and secretion. Histologic study of the lesion showed a secretory carcinoma. Although this is a rare breast neoplasm, especially in adults, the cellular features are characteristic and may permit a specific diagnosis on needle aspirates.     

The value of needle aspiration cytology of the breast, with an emphasis on the diagnosis of breast disease in young women below the age of 30

Our experience with 4,739 needle aspirations of the breast was reviewed, with an emphasis on the diagnosis of carcinoma in young women under the age of 30 years. Among benign diseases, fibroadenomas were most frequently seen in younger women (24.3% of 919 cases) while cysts were most frequently seen in women 30 years of age and older (20.0%). Fibrocystic conditions were identified in approximately 30% of the women in each group. All younger women with suspicious diagnoses had fibrocystic disease at biopsy; in older women, 75% of the suspicious cases proved to be carcinomas while 25% proved to be fibrocystic diseases. Carcinomas were diagnosed cytologically in 1.3% of younger women and in 9.7% of older women. In young women, in whom breast carcinoma is a rare disorder, it is important that carcinoma be diagnosed without delay so that an appropriate plan of management can be adopted. These findings suggest that needle aspiration cytology can accurately make that diagnosis.     

Value of fine needle aspiration cytology of the breast, with an emphasis on the cytodiagnosis of colloid carcinoma.

The fine needle aspiration (FNA) cytologic evaluation of 6,941 lesions of the breast was reviewed, with an emphasis on the cytodiagnosis of colloid carcinoma. The most common benign breast diseases in this series were fibroadenomas, cysts and fibrocystic conditions. All cases with an FNA diagnosis of suspicious were biopsied; a number of these were found to be carcinoma of the breast. In cases with an FNA diagnosis of carcinoma of the breast, a plan of management was immediately adopted on the basis of that diagnosis. Thirteen cases of colloid (mucinous) carcinoma of the breast were diagnosed by FNA cytology; in all, the cytodiagnosis was confirmed by the subsequent histologic diagnosis. The distinctive cytologic criteria that may be useful for making an FNA diagnosis of colloid carcinoma of the breast are discussed, and the FNA differences between the pure and mixed types of colloid carcinoma are noted.     

Fine needle aspiration cytology of breast cylindroma in a woman with familial cylindromatosis: a case report

BACKGROUND: That sweat gland type tumors occur occasionally in the breast is not surprising, as the breast and cutaneous sweat glands are embryologically related. Cylindromas present most commonly as solitary and sporadic dermal nodules on the face and scalp. Cases of multiple cylindromas are dominantly inherited, and the neoplasms are referred to as "turban tumors" when multiple lesions cover the scalp. Primary cylindroma of the breast has been reported once in the past. To the best of our knowledge, the fine needle aspiration cytology of primary breast cylindroma and its occurrence in the setting of familial cylindromatosis have not previously been reported. CASE: A 59-year-old woman presented with an ill-defined left breast mass. She had a personal and family history of dermal cylindromas on the head and face. Fine needle aspiration cytology demonstrated small, uniform cells with oval nuclei and finely granular cytoplasm, with some cells arranged around conspicuous cylinders of dense, acellular material. Excisional biopsy was recommended to exclude adenoid cystic carcinoma. Tissue biopsy revealed a benign cylindroma arising in breast parenchyma. CONCLUSION: Fine needle aspiration cytology of cylindroma very closely mimics that of adenoid cystic carcinoma. Although extremely rare, primary breast cylindroma is another entity to be included in the cytologic differential diagnosis of bland, basaloid cells associated with globular, extracellular material, a finding most commonly associated with adenoid cystic carcinoma.     

Giant cystic metaplastic carcinoma of the breast: a case report with diagnosis by fine needle aspiration

BACKGROUND: Breast cysts are mainly benign and are reported in association with fibrocystic disease and phyllodes tumor. Rarely have cystic changes been reported to occur in malignant tumors. They are usually small but large in rare cases. Giant breast cysts are very rare, and only a few cases have been reported. CASE: A 37-year-old woman presented with a rapidly growing breast mass. Mammography showed a huge, well-circumscribed cystic mass (17 x 16 x 16 cm) suggestive of a benign lesion. Cytologic examination revealed a highly cellular tumor composed of malignant cells of various sizes and shapes in a necrotic background. The smears were diagnosed as positive for malignancy and suggested metaplastic carcinoma. Mastectomy was performed, and histologic study confirmed the cytologic diagnosis. CONCLUSION: This is the first reported case of a breast cyst of this size. Clinically the cyst was confused with a benign lesion. The fine needle aspiration aided the diagnosis and planning of treatment.     

Significance of squamous cells in fine needle aspiration cytology of the breast. A review of cases in a seven-year period

OBJECTIVE: To delineate the significance of detecting squamous cells in fine needle aspiration biopsy of breast lesions. STUDY DESIGN: The authors reviewed 15 cases of fine needle aspiration cytology of the breast with a discernible number of squamous cells from the files of Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital, Hong Kong, during a seven-year period from the start of 1994 to the end of 2001. The cytologic features were correlated with clinical, radiologic and histologic findings, if any. RESULTS: Among the 15 fine needle aspirates of the breast with a discernible number of squamous cells, 5 of them represented metaplastic carcinoma. The remaining consisted of 3 cases of fibroepithelial tumors, 1 case of duct ectasia, 3 cases of subareolar abscess, 2 cases of sclerosed intraduct papilloma and 1 case of benign breast cyst. In general, benign squamous cells were bland looking and often associated with anucleated squames. They were mitotically inactive and could show a good maturation pattern. Tumor cell cannibalism was rare. The presence of abundant, foamy macrophages in the background suggested a benign lesion. The primary diagnosis could be deduced by recognition of other features, such as the presence of myxoid stromal tissue and papillary structures. In contrast, malignant squamous cells in metaplastic carcinoma were more pleomorphic and mitotically active. Dyskeratosis and tumor cell cannibalism were obvious. Tumor diathesis and bizarre-shaped cells were sometimes found. CONCLUSION: Squamous cells occur in fine needle aspirates from a number of benign and malignant breast lesions. Benign conditions with abundant squamous cells may sometimes mimic malignant squamous lesions and vice versa. Careful assessment of the cytologic features of squamous cells and background appearance is crucial for achieving a correct diagnosis.     

Comparative cytology of mucocelelike lesion and mucinous carcinoma of the breast in fine needle aspiration

OBJECTIVE: To study the fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) features of mucocelelike lesion (MLL) of the breast and to compare them to those of mucinous carcinoma. STUDY DESIGN: The fine needle aspiration (FNA) smears of 7 cases of histologically proven MLL (2 malignant and 5 benign, including 4 associated with atypical ductal hyperplasia) were reviewed and compared to those of 14 mucinous carcinoma cases. RESULTS: In all cases, grossly visible thick, mucoid material was obtained from FNA. The most important features for distinguishing benign MLL from mucinous carcinoma were: (1) scant cellularity; (2) no or rare single, intact tumor cells; (3) tumor cells arranged in cohesive monolayers; and (4) absence of significant nuclear atypia. In contrast, mucinous carcinoma in general showed higher cellularity; abundant single, intact cells; three-dimensional cellular clusters in most cases; and nuclear atypia ranging from mild to severe. CONCLUSION: Mucinous lesions of the breast should be divided into MLL and frank mucinous carcinoma based on FNAC. However, FNAC diagnosis of malignant MLL has yet to be defined. Excisional biopsy is advised for all hypocellular cases for further separation into benign and malignant MLL and to rule out the possibility of hypocellular mucinous carcinoma.     

Fine-needle aspiration biopsy cytology of cutaneous calcinosis in a 74-year-old woman with dermatomyositis on methotrexate therapy: a case report

BACKGROUND: Cutaneous calcinosis (CC) occurs in a variety of rheumatic diseases. Fine needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) may be used in the office setting to evaluate such soft tissue lesions. For patients on methotrexate (MTX) therapy, methotrexate nodulosis (MN) should be considered in the differential diagnosis. CASE: A 74-year-old Caucasian woman with adult-onset dermatomyositis (ADM) on MTX therapy presented for evaluation of a right breast mass and multiple soft tissue nodules. FNABs of the right breast mass and a left upper extremity nodule both demonstrated benign calcified material. Six months later, the patient returned for evaluation of the persistent right breast mass and repeat FNAB revealed adenocarcinoma. Concurrently, a right hip soft tissue nodule was aspirated, demonstrating benign crystalline debris. MTX therapy was discontinued, and the patient subsequently underwent a lumpectomy of the right breast 1 month after FNAB diagnosis, displaying infiltrative ductal carcinoma. Of note, 2 months after her lumpectomy, MTX therapy was restarted and the patient continues to have adequate control of ADM symptoms with persistent, clinically benign soft tissue calcifications. CONCLUSION: Performing FNAB on soft tissue lesions can obviate needless tissue biopsies of CC in appropriate rheumatology patients, thus avoiding the risks and complications associated with more invasive procedures.     

Diagnosing breast carcinoma in young women.

OBJECTIVE--To assess the individual and combined diagnostic accuracy of clinical examination, mammography, and fine needle aspiration biopsy in young women with breast cancer. DESIGN--Analysis based on case notes of patients presenting with breast cancer during 1971-89. SETTING--A combined breast clinic. PATIENTS--Consecutive series of 81 women aged less than 36 with histologically proved breast cancer presenting with a discrete mass over 19 years. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES--Results of clinical examination, xeromammography or conventional mammography, fine needle aspiration biopsy, and examination of tissue removed by surgery. RESULTS--The clinical diagnosis was correct in 47 women and radiography in 35. Fine needle aspiration biopsy was correct in 47 of the 63 women in whom it was successfully performed. Fine needle aspiration was significantly more accurate than mammography (78% v 45%, p less than 0.01). Ten (16%) patients had negative results on clinical examination, mammography, and fine needle aspiration. CONCLUSION--Mammography alone seems inadequately sensitive to detect breast cancer in young patients. When all investigations give negative results excision biopsy is the only way of obtaining a definitive diagnosis.     

B超引导下乳腺肿块粗针穿刺诊断的分析（附120例报道）

目的：探讨B超引导下粗针穿刺在乳腺肿块诊断中的应用意义。方法：使用B超引导下粗针吸取穿刺对120例乳腺肿块进行穿刺活检,然后进行固定,脱水,染色,镜检,结合临床作出病理学诊断。结果：粗针穿刺诊断包括良性病变48例,非典型性导管上皮增生（ADH）32例,导管内癌12例,浸润性癌28例。与后续手术标本病理诊断比较得出确诊率,其中良性病变的诊断率为95．83％（46／48）,ADH的确诊率为75％（24／32）,导管内癌的确诊率为58．33％（7／12）,浸润性癌诊断率为92．86％（26／28）,其中导管内癌与浸润性导管癌和乳腺良性病变的确诊率有显著性差异,而ADH与浸润性导管癌和乳腺良性病变间的确诊率有差异,但本组数据没有统计学意义。结论：超声引导下粗针穿刺对乳腺浸润性癌和良性病变的诊断率较高,但对ADH和原位癌的确诊率较低,有待进一步改进。     

Pilomatrixoma as a diagnostic pitfall in fine needle aspiration cytology: a case report

BACKGROUND: Pilomatrixoma (pilomatrixoma, calcifying epithelioma of Malherbe) is a relatively uncommon, benign neoplasm arising from the skin adnexa. The tumor can cause diagnostic difficulty not only for the clinician but also for the cytologist. CASE: A 62-year-old woman presented with a right submandibular swelling of 4 months' duration. The clinical findings were highly suspicious for malignancy. A fine needle aspiration biopsy was performed. Three preliminary differential diagnoses were offered: mucoepidermoid carcinoma of the submandibular salivary gland, squamous cell carcinomatous deposit in a submandibular lymph node and calcifying odontogenic tumor. Computed tomography demonstrated no bony lesion. No primary site of squamous cell carcinoma could be identified. An excisional biopsy of the swelling was performed, and the histologic diagnosis of pilomatrixoma was made. CONCLUSION: The cytologic presentation of pilomatrixoma of the right submandibular region can masquerade as that of a malignant tumor, in this case mucoepidermoid carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma or odontogenic tumor. This case delineates the cytomorphologic features of pilomatrixoma that may mimic carcinoma.     

Masquerades of malignancy: a review of 4,241 aspirates from the breast

A total of 4,241 aspirates from the breast were obtained by fine needle aspiration biopsy. Of the 3,809 benign lesions, 61 (1.6%) were interpreted as possibly malignant. In all, excisional biopsy, not mastectomy, was recommended as the next procedure. More than 50% of these misdiagnoses were from aspirates of fibrocystic disease, 15% were from fibroadenomas, and the remainder were from gynecomastia, solitary papillomas, periareolar hyperplasia, pregnancy hyperplasia and granulation tissue. Most errors were based on specimens that were insufficiently cellular or whose poorly preserved cells lacked the majority of the criteria of malignancy.     

Fine needle aspiration of breast lesions in women aged 30 and under

Fine needle aspiration (FNA) biopsies of 1,598 breast masses were performed between 1983 and 1989, and of them, 48 were from women aged 30 and under for whom a cytologic diagnosis was made by FNA and histologic follow-up was available. In 37 (77%) of the cases, both the cytologic and histologic diagnoses were benign. Fibroadenoma (20/37) and fibrocystic changes (14/37) were the most common benign lesions aspirated. Eight (17%) FNAs showed cytologic atypia. Four of these atypical lesions proved to be benign (two fibroadenomas, two fibrocystic changes). Epithelial proliferation in fibroadenomas and fibrocystic changes and cellular stroma in a fibroadenoma mimicking phylloides tumor were the causes of atypia in these biopsies. Four of the eight atypical lesions were shown to be carcinoma at biopsy (three infiltrating duct, one atypical medullary). Low cellularity, epithelial cohesiveness mimicking a fibroadenoma and background lactational changes in a pregnant patient were the causes of the atypical, rather than unequivocally malignant, diagnoses in these cases. In three patients (6%), a diagnosis of carcinoma was made by FNA and confirmed histologically (all were infiltrating duct carcinoma). Although most breast masses in women aged 30 and under are benign, cytologic atypia in a breast fine needle aspirate in this age group warrants a surgical biopsy. Clinical follow-up alone may be appropriate for young women with clinically nonsuspicious breast masses without cytologic atypia.     

Fine needle aspiration of myofibroblastoma of the breast in a man. A report of two cases.

The cytopathologic features of fine needle aspiration biopsy of two myofibroblastomas of the breast in men are described. The cytologic findings consisted of monomorphic spindle cells with ovoid, grooved nuclei, isolated or in clusters, with an ill-defined, short fascicular pattern and abundant acellular, myxoid-appearing material. Atypical features were absent. No epithelial elements were present. We emphasize the value of aspiration cytology in association with clinical and mammographic data to establish a definitive diagnosis of this uncommon entity. This benign tumor should be considered in pure spindle cell, nontypical fine needle aspiration biopsy specimens of breast masses with sharp demarcation from the surrounding tissue, especially in men.     

p53 mutations as tumor markers in fine needle aspirates of palpable breast masses

OBJECTIVE: Mutations in p53 exons 5-8 are found in 40-50% of breast carcinomas. We performed a retrospective analysis of p53 mutations in fluid-based, archival fine needle aspirates (FNAs) of breast masses to determine their potential diagnostic utility as breast tumor cell markers. STUDY DESIGN: Residual, fluid-based, archival FNAs of 27 breast masses were retrospectively evaluated by polymerase chain reaction (PCR), single-strand conformational polymorphism analysis (SSCP) and sequencing for p53 exons 5-8. Results were compared with the morphologic diagnoses and genotyping of available excisional biopsy tissue. RESULTS: Six of the twenty-seven cases were found to have a clonal mutation in p53; all six mutated cases showed carcinoma on subsequent excisional biopsy. Definitive cytologic diagnosis of cancer had been possible in only four of the six cases. Identical mutations were found in the excised carcinomas in the five cases with available tissue. None of the 14 aspirates with benign cytology had detectable mutations in p53. CONCLUSION: p53 Mutational analysis by PCR/SSCP/sequencing deserves to be critically studied as a diagnostic criterion in patients with indeterminate or suspicious cytology. Validation studies should be performed to test p53 mutations as molecular diagnostic markers in breast cytology specimens.     

Pseudosarcomatous fasciitis of the breast. Cytologic and histologic features

A rare case of pseudosarcomatous fasciitis of the breast is presented. Both the clinical examination and the mammographic findings led us to expect a malignant lesion. Fine needle aspiration biopsy cytology, however, was negative, with the cells observed indicating a benign lesion. The benignity was proven by histologic examination of the extirpated nodule. The usefulness of aspiration cytology in the diagnosis of this entity and the need for a combined methodology in the diagnosis of breast tumors are emphasized.     

Fine needle aspiration biopsy of intramammary neurilemoma

A case of benign neurilemoma (schwannoma) arising in the breast is presented, including the fine needle aspiration (FNA) biopsy findings. The aspirate yielded a cellular smear composed of clusters of spindle-shaped cells showing minimal atypia. The absence of mitotic figures and breast epithelium suggested a benign neoplasm. The final diagnosis was established on the excised mass by histopathologic study and the use of special stains. The utility and pitfalls of FNA biopsy in diagnosing this rare entity are discussed.