Metaplastic carcinoma of the breast: fine-needle aspiration cytology of seven cases.
We describe the cytomorphology of seven cases of metaplastic carcinoma of the breast studied by fine-needle aspiration cytology and by histology. All seven cases contained foci of ductual adenocarcinoma. This finding was combined with heterologous mesenchymal elements in four cases, a spindle-cell pattern of growth in one case, and extensive squamous-cell metaplasia in two cases. Both carcinomatous and metaplastic components were present on smears in four cases (57%). Thus in three cases (43%), the diagnosis was not possible on smear material alone. Differential diagnostic considerations are discussed.
Stanley
M W
MW
Department of Pathology, Hennepin County Medical Center, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55415.
Tani
E M
EM
Skoog
L
L
D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000473:pathology; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001707:Biopsy, Needle; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000473:pathology; D003581:Cytodiagnosis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008679:Metaplasia; D008875:Middle Aged; D012509:Sarcoma / Q000473:pathology