Fine-needle aspiration cytology of mammary adenomyoepithelioma: A study of 12 patients Journal Article


Authors: Iyengar, P.; Ali, S. Z.; Brogi, E.
Article Title: Fine-needle aspiration cytology of mammary adenomyoepithelioma: A study of 12 patients
Abstract: BACKGROUND. Adenomyoepithelioma (AME) of the breast is a rare neoplasm that is characterized by a biphasic proliferation of epithelial and myoepithelial cells. Incomplete excision of this lesion is associated with a greater risk of recurrence. Although the histology of AME is well characterized, its cytomorphology has not been assessed in a large series. METHODS. The authors conducted a retrospective evaluation of cytologic findings in fine-needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) material from 12 patients with histologically proven benign AMEs of the breast. RESULTS. All aspirates were moderately to highly cellular with large clusters composed of epithelium and myoepithelium. The myoepithelium was admixed with the ductal cells or was present as naked bipolar nuclei in 75% of samples. Small clusters or dispersed myoepithelial cells with epithelioid morphology were also present and showed intranuclear and intractyoplasmic vacuoles in one-third of samples. Mild-to-moderate nuclear atypia was noted in some samples, but no necrosis or mitoses were seen. None of the patients were diagnosed originally with AME: Two tumors were classified as benign and consistent with fibroadenoma, 6 tumors were atypical, 2 tumors were suspicious for carcinoma, and 2 tumors were positive for malignant cells. CONCLUSIONS. Because of the varied histology of AME, cytologic diagnosis of this neoplasm can be very challenging. Accurate identification of the myoepithelium is crucial to avoid misinterpretation as carcinoma. Conservative diagnosis and further histologic evaluation is recommended for these patients. © 2006 American Cancer Society.
Keywords: adult; clinical article; controlled study; aged; aged, 80 and over; middle aged; retrospective studies; human cell; clinical feature; clinical trial; histopathology; mitosis; cell structure; diagnosis, differential; breast; echomammography; differential diagnosis; pathology; breast neoplasms; retrospective study; necrosis; adenoma; breast tumor; needle biopsy; biopsy, fine-needle; carcinoma; radiography; aspiration biopsy; epithelium tumor; fibroadenoma; clinical trials; breast fibroadenoma; myoepithelioma; myoepithelial cells; adenomyoepithelioma; adenomyoma
Journal Title: Cancer
Volume: 108
Issue: 4
ISSN: 0008-543X
Publisher: Wiley Blackwell  
Date Published: 2006-08-25
Start Page: 250
End Page: 256
Language: English
DOI: 10.1002/cncr.21839
PUBMED: 16544319
PROVIDER: scopus
DOI/URL:
Notes: --- - "Cited By (since 1996): 4" - "Export Date: 4 June 2012" - "CODEN: CANCA" - "Source: Scopus"
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  1. Pratibha Iyengar
    13 Iyengar
  2. Edi Brogi
    515 Brogi