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Initial diagnosis of breast cancer via cytological examination of a pleural effusion: A rare event facilitated by recognition of an unusual morphological pattern
Author(s) -
Gutmann Edward J.,
Cates Justin M.M.
Publication year - 2005
Publication title -
diagnostic cytopathology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.417
H-Index - 65
eISSN - 1097-0339
pISSN - 8755-1039
DOI - 10.1002/dc.20207
Subject(s) - medicine , pleural effusion , breast cancer , event (particle physics) , pathology , cancer , radiology , physics , quantum mechanics
It is uncommon for breast carcinoma to present as a malignant serous effusion. Here, we describe a case in which the initial diagnosis of an occult invasive ductal carcinoma of the breast was made via cytological examination of a pleural effusion. Recognition of a cribriform architecture with intraluminal necrosis and microcalcifications in a cell block preparation was critical in making that diagnosis. To our knowledge, this specific morphological pattern of breast carcinoma in a cell block preparation from an effusion has not been reported previously. Diagn. Cytopathol. 2005;32:177–181. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.