Chordoma metastatic to the breast diagnosed by fine needle aspiration. A case report.
BACKGROUND
Metastatic breast tumors are rare but need differentiation from primary malignant and even benign tumors of the breast to ensure appropriate treatment.


METHODS
A 51-year-old female with chordoma developed a lump in the breast 3.5 years after the primary diagnosis. Fine needle aspiration of the lump showed classic physaliferous cells with a bubbly appearance and anaplastic cells in a magenta, fibrillary background.


CONCLUSIONS
The presence of classic physaliferous cells on fine needle aspiration is diagnostic of chordoma, even in metastatic lesions.
Gupta
R K
RK
Department of Pathology, Medical Oncology and Radiotherapy, Mohan Dai Oswal Cancer Treatment and Research Foundation, Ludhiana, India.
Arora
R
R
Vashistha
R
R
D001707:Biopsy, Needle; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology / Q000556:secondary*; D002817:Chordoma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology / Q000556:secondary*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D010386:Pelvic Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*