1995 Volume 34 Issue 4 Pages 608-613
We performed a comparative analysis for hard-to-diagnose breast diseases with small round cell types on fine needle aspiration cytology. The materials consisted of 10 benign cases (fibroadenoma with epithelial proliferation, mastopathy with ductal hyperplasia and intraductal papilloma) and 20 malignant cases (noninvasive ductal carcinoma excluding comedo type and invasive ductal carcinoma with a predominent intraductal component).
1. Appearance of background component
1) Stromal components were seen in 70% of benign diseases cases followed by 25% of invasive carcinomas while the absence of these components was confirmed in noninvasive carcinomas.
2) A large number of naked nuclei-like cells (fibroblasts) were seen in 70% of benign disease cases and 8% of invasive carcinomas. However, no cells were observed in noninvasive carcinomas.
3) Although no necrotic substance was identified in benign disease, these findings were present in 25% each of invasive and noninvasive carcinomas.
2. Appearance of epithelial cells
1) Connective cells were numeroun in benign disease cases (80%) followed by noninvasive carcinomas (63%) and invasive carcinomas (58%). Whereas, cells were sparse in 42% of invasive carcinomas, 38% of noninvasive carcinomas and 10% of benign disease cases.
2) Irregular nuclear shape was observed in 25% and 50% of noninvasive and invasive carcinomas, respectively, but, only 10% of benign disease cases demonstrated this pattern.
3) Coarse chromatin was characteristic of noninvasive carcinoma (100%) and invasive carcinoma (92%). However, it was also seen in 30% of benign disease cases.
4) No difference was observed in cellular arrangement, nuclear size variability or mitosis.
We conclude that although cytological differentiation is difficult, specifically in breast diseases with marked epithelial proliferation, it is important to make a diagnosis in consideration of the above-mentioned features.
