DUCTAL ADENOMA OF THE BREAST - THE CYTOLOGICAL FEATURES OF 6 CASES

Ductal adenoma of the breast may simulate malignancy by both clinical, histological, and cytological examination. Fine-needle aspirations fr om breast lesions are now daily routine and preoperative recognition o f this benign lesion is desirable. This study describes the cytologic features of six additional cases of ductal adenoma. The smears from al l the lesions were highly cellular with epithelial cells in sheets. Nu merous large fragments of purple stroma in tight connection with epith elial cells often making finger-like hyaline structures or globules be tween cells were seen. Naked oval nuclei in the background were observ ed in all cases indicating benignancy. We find the cytologic picture i n fine-needle aspirations from ductal adenomas sufficiently characteri stic for preoperative diagnosis. The differential diagnoses toward oth er benign and malignant conditions are discussed. (C) 1994 Wiley-Liss, Inc.