Analysis of fibrovascular cluster with useful cytological findings for differential diagnosis of papillary tumor of the breast

Abstract

Objective: We analyzed fibrovascular clusters cytologically demonstrated in papillary breast tumor.
Study and Design: We studied 24 cases of intraductal papilloma and 16 of papillary breast carcinoma.
Results: Fibrovascular cluster materials were classified into two groups. Type I fibrovascular clusters showed vascular loops without epithelial cells. Type II consisted of fibrovascular stroma with epithelial cells. Type I was seen in 9 (56%) of 16 cases of papillary carcinoma, but none in the 24 cases of intraductal papilloma.
Conclusion: Type I fibrovascular clusters help distinguish intraductal papilloma and papillary carcinoma of the breast.