title: Fine-needle cytology and flow cytometry assessment of reactive and lymphoproliferative processes of the breast.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The breast may be affected by reactive and lymphoproliferative processes such as primary (PBL) or secondary (SBL) lymphoma, reactive intramammary lymph nodes and sclerosing lobulitis; imaging may be not specific and surgical treatment not indicated. We report an experience with fine-needle cytology (FNAC) combined with flow cytometry (FC) and immunocytochemistry (ICC) in the diagnosis of these processes.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty-seven cases comprising intramammary lymph nodes (n = 15), sclerosing lobulitis (n = 2), PBL (n = 11) and SBL (n = 9) are reported. FNAC was used to prepare traditional smears, conventional ICC or FC. Cytological diagnoses were compared to the imaging data, checked by histology or follow-up and statistically evaluated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Imaging was not conclusive in most PBL, SBL, sclerosing lobulitis and some intramammary lymph nodes. FNAC combined with FC and ICC provided a definitive diagnosis of intramammary lymph node, sclerosing lobulitis, PBL and SBL in 18 cases with indication of the specific subtype in 10 cases. Statistical analysis showed 90% sensitivity, 100% specificity, 100% positive predictive value and 89% negative predictive value.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  FNAC combined with FC and ICC is a helpful procedure for the diagnosis of reactive and lymphoproliferative processes of the breast. It may prevent unnecessary biopsy and speed up therapeutic procedures.
authors.affiliation: Dipartimenti di Scienze Biomorfologiche e Funzionali, Facoltà di Medicina e Chirurgia, Università di Napoli 'Federico II', Napoli, Italia.
authors.forename: Elena
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Vigliar
authors.forename: Immacolata
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Cozzolino
authors.forename: Laura Virginia Sosa
authors.initials: LV
authors.lastname: Fernandez
authors.forename: Leda
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Di Pietto
authors.forename: Albina
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Riccardi
authors.forename: Marco
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Picardi
authors.forename: Fabrizio
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Pane
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Vetrani
authors.forename: Giancarlo
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Troncone
authors.forename: Pio
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Zeppa
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D044963:Biopsy, Fine-Needle / Q000379:methods*; D001941:Breast Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D005434:Flow Cytometry / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology*; D008232:Lymphoproliferative Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology*; D008297:Male; D042361:Mammary Glands, Human / Q000473:pathology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D055815:Young Adult