Abstract
Background : Intracytoplasmic lumens (ICLs) are a useful diagnostic marker of breast cancer. We report the fine-needle aspiration (FNA) findings in a case of mammary adenomyoepithelioma with ICLs.
Case : A 61-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital because of a complaint of a tumor in the upper-inner quadrant of the right breast. Ultrasonography showed a well-defined hypoechoic lesion with posterior enhancement. FNA cytology of the tumor yielded cohesive cell clusters composed of epithelial cells and polygonal myoepithelial cells with occasional intranuclear cytoplasmic inclusions and intracytoplasmic vacuoles (“soap bubble” appearance). Many ICLs were observed in the cytoplasm of epithelial cells with nuclear pleomorphism. Malignancy was suspected on the basis of the cytologic features. Histologic and immunohistochemical examination of the resected tumor revealed adenomyoepithelioma of the breast.
Conclusion : The striking cytomorphology of the tumor, including ICLs and nuclear atypia, led to a cytologic diagnosis of ductal carcinoma. Surgical biopsy is recommended to clarify the nature of the tumor.
