Korean J Cytopathol.  2007 Mar;18(1):69-73.

Invasine Ductal Carcinoma with Osteoclast-Like Giant Cell in a Young Woman

• Kang HJ
• Kim JY
• Choi KU
• Kwak HS
• Sol MY

Abstract

Mammary carcinoma with osteoclast-like giant cells is an unusual neoplasm characterized by giant cells, mononuclear stromal cells, and hemorrhage accompanying a low grade carcinoma. We present the cytological findings in a case of invasive ductal carcinoma with osteoclast-like giant cells that was initially confused with a fibroadenoma, due to its well-demarcated and soft mass and the young age of the patient. A 28-year-old female presented with a 4.5 cm, well demarcated, soft and nontender mass in the right breast. Fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) showed a combination of low grade malignant epithelial cell clusters and osteoclast-like giant cells. The atypical epithelial cells were present in cohesive sheets and clusters. Osteoclast-like giant cells and bland-looking mononuclear cells were scattered. An histological examination revealed the presence of an invasive ductal carcinoma with osteoclast-like giant cells. We report here the cytological findings of this rare carcinoma in a very young woman. The minimal atypia of the epithelial cells and its soft consistency may lead to a false negative diagnosis in a young woman. The recognition that osteoclastlike giant cells are rarely present in a low grade carcinoma, but not in benign lesion, can assist the physician in making a correct diagnosis.

Keyword

Osteoclast-like giant cell; Cytology; Aspiration; Breast; Young woman

MeSH Terms

Adult
Biopsy, Fine-Needle
Breast
Carcinoma, Ductal*
Diagnosis
Epithelial Cells
Female
Fibroadenoma
Giant Cells*
Hemorrhage
Humans
Stromal Cells