NEEDLE ASPIRATION CYTOLOGY, IMMUNOCYTOCHEMISTRY, AND ELECTRON-MICROSCOPIC STUDY IN A CASE OF CARCINOID OF THE MALE BREAST

The diagnosis of a primary carcinoid of breast in a 68-yr-old male was initially made from a sample of needle aspirate. The cytodiagnosis wa s supported by histochemical and immunocytochemical studies which show ed positivity for argyrophilic granules by Grimelius stain and positiv e staining for chromogranin. A subsequent cell block of the aspirate a nd biopsy of the tumour confirmed the cytodiagnosis. Electron microsco pic study of the material further demonstrated the presence of neurose cretory granules in the malignant cells. Mastectomy with axillary node dissection was performed and showed no residual or metastatic tumour. No primary tumour was found elsewhere. This case illustrates the impo rtance of needle aspiration cytology in the diagnosis of carcinoid tum our which is very rare in the male breast. (C) 1993 Wiley-Liss, Inc.