Breast Carcinoma Masquerading as Granulomatous Mastitis on Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology lessons to learn!

Authors

  • Anwar Ul Haque Department of Pathology, Azad Jammu & Kashmir Medical College, AJK University, Muzaffarabad, Azad Kashmir Pakistan
  • Abdaal Munir Department of Pathology, Azad Jammu & Kashmir Medical College, AJK University, Muzaffarabad, Azad Kashmir Pakistan
  • Hajra Farooq Department of Pathology, Azad Jammu & Kashmir Medical College, AJK University, Muzaffarabad, Azad Kashmir Pakistan

Keywords:

Granulomatous mastitis,, Breast disease, Ductal carcinoma, Cytological atypia, Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology, FNAC, False positive cytology, False positive cytologyLaboratory error

Abstract

Chronic granulomatous mastitis is not an uncommon entity. It mimics breast carcinoma on physical, gross &
microscopic examinations; both on histopathological and fine needle aspiration cytology. At other times invasive
ductal carcinoma may suggest granulomatous mastitis. A case is presented here where ductal carcinoma was
misinterpreted as granulomatous mastitis on fine needle aspiration cytology smears in a 48 yr old woman who
presented with large painful lump in her left breast. The mass was subsequently excised and the
histopathological examination revealed infiltrating ductal carcinoma. Reexamination of the cytology smears did
show some atypical cells commensurate with the ductal carcinoma. We here discuss various reasons and factors
responsible for over and under interpretation of cytological atypia.

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Published

2018-11-19

Issue

Volume.13, Issue (October-December, 2015)

Section

Original article

License

Copyright (c) 2018 Anwar Ul Haque, Abdaal Munir, Hajra Farooq

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How to Cite

1.
Haque AU, Munir A, Farooq H. Breast Carcinoma Masquerading as Granulomatous Mastitis on Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology lessons to learn!. Int J Pathol [Internet]. 2018 Nov. 19 [cited 2024 Nov. 22];:172-5. Available from: https://jpathology.com/index.php/OJS/article/view/203