High power: DQ stain
Poorly cohesive clusters and single cells of lobular carcinoma. Note slightly enlarged compared to lymphocytes in background. Also present nuclear membrane irregularity and mitotic figure
High power: DQ stain
Single cell filing and slightly enlarged carcinoma cells.
High power: Pap stain
Poorly cohesive clusters and single cells of lobular carcinoma. Note slightly enlarged nuclei, nuclear membrane irregularity and intracytoplasmic lumens.
High power: Pap stain
Single cells of lobular carcinoma. Note prominent nucleoli.
High power: Pap stain
Single cell filing of lobular carcinoma.
Cell block: H&E stain
Poorly cohesive clusters and single cells of lobular carcinoma. Note plasmacytoid appearance and small bland monomorphic cells. Compare size to lymphoid cells in the background.
Features
• Scant to modestly cellular smears
• Poorly cohesive clusters
• Numerous single cells
• Single cell filing
• Small uniform monomorphic bland cells
• Cells slightly larger than lymphoid cells
• Minimal atypia (except pleomorphic variant)
• Cytoplasm delicate easily stripped
• Vacuolated cytoplasm
• Intracytoplasmic lumens with mucin
• Round to oval nuclei
• Nuclei may be eccentric in location
• Irregular nuclear membranes
• Fine to granular chromatin
• Small often prominent nucleoli
• Classic
• Solid
• Alveolar
• Pleomorphic
• Mixed (ductal & lobular)
• Express CK7, Cam 5.2, GATA3, Androgen receptor, ER, mammaglobin, may express GCDFP-15, usually negative for E-Cadherin
Ustun M et al.Diagn Cytopathol. 2002 Jul;27(1):22-6.
Rajesh L et al. Acta Cytol. 2003 Mar-Apr;47(2):177-82.
Salhany KE et al. Am J Clin Pathol. 1989 Jul;92(1):22-6.