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Metaplastic carcinoma of the breast—diagnosis by aspiration biopsy cytology: Report of two cases and literature review
Author(s) -
Kline Tilde S.,
Kline Irwin K.
Publication year - 1990
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.2840060114
Subject(s) - medicine , pathology , giant cell , biopsy , metaplastic carcinoma , fine needle aspiration , carcinoma , cytology , cytopathology , breast cancer , cancer
The unusual metaplastic carcinomas have a variety of names, each emphasizing the dominant histologic pattern. Components may include features of ductal, spindle, or squamous carcinoma with pseudosarcomatous, cartilaginous, or boney areas. A few reports from individual tumors examined by fine‐needle aspiration biopsy have emphasized an array of findings. This study includes two of our cases with a review of 12 others from the literature. The breast neoplasm has a characteristic pattern on aspiration biopsy cytology (ABC). The cell‐rich aspirate reveals benign multinucleated giant cells intermingled with malignant spindled or squamous cells on a background of necrotic debris, inflammatory cells, and blood. Additionally, cells from infiltrating ductal carcinoma and mesenchymal fragments are often seen.