Korean J Cytopathol.  1996 Dec;7(2):202-206.

Fine Needle Aspiration Cytologic Findings of Metaplastic Carcinoma of the Breast: A Case Report

• Min SK
• Cha HJ
• Kim JM
• Chu YC

Abstract

Metaplastic carcinoma of the breast is a morphologically heterogenous group of neoplasms characterized by ductal adenocarcinoma with extensive squamous differentiation, a spindle-cell pattern of growth, and/or heterologous mesenchymal elements. We experienced a case of metaplastic carcinoma diagnosed by fine needle aspiration(FNA) and confirmed by radical mastectomy in a 46 year-old woman. The FNA cytologic findings included atypical squamous cells with kertinization lying singly and in clusters in a necrotic background. In addition, scattered spindle cells with pleomorphic large nuclei and prominent nucleoli were present in a hemorrhagic and necrotic background. The histopathologic findings showed moderately differentiated squamous cell carcinoma and highly pleomorphic sarcoma with chondroid component. The immunohistochemical stain revealed focal positive reaction for cytokeratin as well as diffuse reactivity for vimentin in the sarcomatous area.

Keyword

Aspiration cytology; Breast; Metaplastic carcinoma; Carcinosarcoma

MeSH Terms

Adenocarcinoma
Biopsy, Fine-Needle*
Breast*
Carcinoma, Squamous Cell
Carcinosarcoma
Deception
Female
Humans
Keratins
Mastectomy, Radical
Middle Aged
Needles
Sarcoma
Vimentin
Keratins
Vimentin