title: Lobular carcinoma with cytoplasmic granules.
abstract: We report on a case of invasive lobular carcinoma of the breast with a previously undescribed cytologic feature. Diff-Quik-stained cytologic preparations showed uniform single cells with prominent coarse cytoplasmic granules. Ultrastructurally, the granules showed features suggestive of autophagosomes and/or degenerative mitochondria. The cytologic differential diagnosis included granulocytic sarcoma, metastatic melanoma, extramedullary hematopoiesis, large granulocytic leukemia/lymphoma, and mast-cell tumor. Adjunctive studies were helpful in the diagnosis of carcinoma. Histologic study of the mastectomy specimen showed classic type of invasive lobular carcinoma.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Hartford Hospital, Hartford, Connecticut, USA.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Vdovenko
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Bass
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Tauchi-Nishi
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Namiki
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001707:Biopsy, Needle; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000737:chemistry / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery / Q000648:ultrastructure; D018275:Carcinoma, Lobular / Q000737:chemistry / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery / Q000648:ultrastructure; D003594:Cytoplasmic Granules / Q000473:pathology* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D006801:Humans; D008854:Microscopy, Electron