APOCRINE METAPLASIA IN GYNECOMASTIA BY FINE-NEEDLE ASPIRATION AS A POSSIBLE INDICATOR OF ANABOLIC-STEROID USE - A REPORT OF 2 CASES

BACKGROUND: The fine needle aspiration finding of apocrine metaplasia in association with the usual cytologic findings of gynecomastia is di stinctly unusual. Previous reports do not mention any historical clini cal association. CASES: Two otherwise healthy adult males presented fo r fine needle aspiration (FNA) of new-onset breast masses. Both showed apocrine metaplasia associated with the typical clinical and cytologi c features of gynecomastia on FNA. Additional questioning revealed tha t both patients reported recent anabolic steroid use as part of their body-building routines. CONCLUSION: The fine needle aspiration finding of apocrine metaplasia in association with the usual cytologic and cl inical findings of gynecomastia in otherwise healthy adult males witho ut a medication history may be an indicator of illicit anabolic steroi d use. Anabolic steroid use often has serious consequences, so its pos sibility should prompt further evaluation by the patient's clinician.