Fine needle aspiration cytology of a solid papillary carcinoma of the breast. A case report with immunohistochemical studies

BACKGROUND: Solid papillary carcinoma of the breast was recently described. This tumor displays distinctive clinical and morphologic features. It is an intraductal papillary carcinoma frequently associated with mucinous carcinoma and infiltrating ductal carcinoma not otherwise specified. CASE: Fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) of a solid papillary carcinoma of the right breast in an 82-year-old female, demonstrated a cellular specimen of discohesive, small, uniform and ovoid tumor cells, with occasional loose clusters. The cytoplasm was abundant and finely granular. The nuclei were round, without marked atypia. The nucleoli were inconspicuous. Scant mucinous material was present. The diagnosis was confirmed histologically and immunohistochemically. CONCLUSION: The cytologic aspects of solid papillary carcinoma of the breast suggest a carcinoma with endocrine differentiation and a weak mucinous component.