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Fine‐needle aspiration cytology of breast masses in pregnant and lactating women
Author(s) -
Finley James L.,
Silverman Jan F.,
Lannin Donald R.
Publication year - 1989
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.2840050305
Subject(s) - medicine , fine needle aspiration , pathology , cytology , cytoplasm , cytopathology , biopsy , pleomorphism (cytology) , nucleolus , malignancy , pregnancy , gynecology , nucleus , immunohistochemistry , biology , biochemistry , genetics , psychiatry
Eleven pregnant women with breast masses that arose during pregnancy or in the postpartum period underwent fine‐needle aspiration biopsies. Cytologic examination demonstrated a spectrum of morphologic features, including (I) a pattern of dissociated epithelial cells stripped of their cytoplasm along with small clusters of cells having a frayed secretory type of cytoplasm; (2) larger epithelial groups with nuclear pleomorphism, prominent irregular nucleoli, and abundant vacuolated cytoplasm; (3) cellular smears, often with an inflammatory background and proteinaceous debris; and (4) microtissue fragments showing features of lobular hyperplasia. This article illustrates the clinical utility of fine‐needle aspiration biopsy in evaluating breast masses in pregnant and lactating women and discusses the potential hazards for a false‐positive diagnosis of malignancy in these patients.