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BREAST CYTOPATHOLOGY

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Fibrocystic Changes 21

Figure 2.3. Fibrocystic changes. A large fragment of apocrine cells

arranged in a large monolayered fashion. Cells are large and polygonal

with large nuclei and prominent nucleoli with abundant granular

cytoplasm. Apocrine epithelium is a fairly common finding in breast

aspirates and, except for rare occasions, represents benign lesions.

(Smear, Papanicolaou.)

metaplasia (large polygonal cells, abundant cytoplasm that

is distinctly granular, well-defined cytoplasmic borders,

often prominent nucleoli)

• Mild anisonucleosis, slight nuclear overlap

• Sometimes macrophages predominate, often with foamy

cytoplasm—”foamy macrophages”

• Myoepithelial cells, fragments of stroma, adipose tissue

• Background of cystic debris

• Rarely, microcalcifications (calcified debris)

Pitfalls and Differential Diagnosis

• Atypical ductal hyperplasia

• Fibroadenoma

• Low-grade ductal carcinoma

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