1934-6638/asset/cover.gif?v=1&s=affe8e5c819f8ad6435a5b38423e9d4b25d5f2db "Cancer Cytopathology")
fax: (011) (852)26374858
1934-6638/asset/olbannerleft.jpg?v=1&s=248507ce5877945e3da8cea0c5210f53552322db)
1934-6638/asset/olbannerright.jpg?v=1&s=ac82d44877e329c9cc7c1dc2ce7184d3082a8921)
Original Article
You have full text access to this OnlineOpen article
Fine-needle aspiration cytology of breast carcinoma with endocrine differentiation
Article first published online: 10 NOV 2000
DOI: 10.1002/1097-0142(20001025)90:5<286::AID-CNCR4>3.0.CO;2-A
Copyright © 2000 American Cancer Society
Additional Information
How to Cite
Tse, G. M. K. and Ma, T. K. F. (2000), Fine-needle aspiration cytology of breast carcinoma with endocrine differentiation. Cancer Cytopathology, 90: 286–291. doi: 10.1002/1097-0142(20001025)90:5<286::AID-CNCR4>3.0.CO;2-A
Publication History
- Issue published online: 10 NOV 2000
- Article first published online: 10 NOV 2000
- Manuscript Accepted: 10 JUN 2000
- Manuscript Revised: 30 MAY 2000
- Manuscript Received: 13 DEC 1999
- Abstract
- Article
- References
- Cited By
Keywords:
- endocrine carcinoma;
- carcinoid;
- fine-needle aspiration (FNA);
- papilloma
The cytologic diagnosis of low grade mammary carcinoma is difficult, with considerable overlapping occurring between in situ and invasive forms. Endocrine carcinoma is one of several subtypes of low grade mammary carcinoma. In the current study, the authors report the characteristic cytologic features of plasmacytoid morphology and the cytoarchitectural pattern of elaborate arborizing papillary fronds in patients with endocrine carcinoma. The authors believe that such features may assist in cytologic diagnosis.
Abstract
BACKGROUND
The value of fine-needle aspiration (FNA) in atypical proliferative to in situ to low grade invasive breast lesions remains limited due to the overlapping cytologic features of these entities. In the current study the authors review the FNA cytology of endocrine carcinoma and identify common cytologic features that allow for the diagnosis of this uncommon, low grade subtype of mammary malignancy.
METHODS
The histopathology files from the medical practices of both authors were searched between January 1996 and May 1999 and yielded six cases of endocrine carcinoma. The clinical history and all previous FNA smears were reviewed.
RESULTS
All six patients were elderly women (mean age of 72 years). Four patients presented with breast masses, one patient presented with nipple discharge, and one patient presented with both a breast mass and nipple discharge. All six surgical specimens showed endocrine ductal carcinoma in situ (E-DCIS), with four specimens showing invasive endocrine carcinoma, two of which were labeled as mucinous carcinoma. All invasive components showed the same histomorphologic and immunohistochemical profiles as the in situ components. Cytology demonstrated common features of the cellular smears with clusters and single, monomorphic plasmacytoid tumor cells that possessed moderate amounts of eosinophilic, granular cytoplasm and eccentric nuclei with fine chromatin and inconspicuous nucleoli. In four cases, additional fragments of fine and elaborate papillary fronds also were present.
CONCLUSIONS
The cytologic smear diagnosis of endocrine carcinoma is assisted by the presence of plasmacytoid tumor cells and arborizing papillary fronds. Cancer (Cancer Cytopathol) 2000;90:286–91. © 2000 American Cancer Society.