Atypical squamous metaplasia of seromas in breast needle aspirates from irradiated lumpectomy sites: A potential pitfall for false-positive diagnoses of carcinoma

Abstract

The presence of squamous metaplasic cells is an uncommon finding in fine-needle aspiration (FNA) biopsies of the breast. We report that FNA smears containing atypical squamous metaplastic cells derived from the lining of seroma-type cavities following lumpectomy and irradiation in patients with breast cancer can be a potential pitfall for a false-positive diagnosis of recurrent malignancy. Four fine-needle breast aspirates from two adult patients with previous histories of invasive breast carcinoma were retrieved. One specimen was from a 56-yr-old female, while the remaining three FNAs aspirates were from a 75-yr-old female. Both patients presented with indurated cystic lesions arising at irradiated lumpectomy sites. The cytospins from the 56-yr-old patient showed markedly atypical cells having enlarged, degenerating, hyperchromatic nuclei and surrounding dense cytoplasm with sharp borders that were suspicious for carcinoma. A mastectomy revealed irradiation changes and atypical squamous metaplastic cells lining a cystic cavity consistent with a seroma, but there was no evidence of residual cancer. After three aspirations yielded “atypical” diagnoses, the second patient underwent core needle biopsies that also revealed changes consistent with a seroma cavity lined by atypical squamous metaplastic cells. We believe this is the first report of squamous metaplasia occurring in a seroma cavity following lumpectomy and irradiation of the breast. The squamous metaplastic cells in aspirates of these cystic lesions may display significant cellular atypia that can potentially result in a false-positive diagnosis of malignancy. Diagn. Cytopathol. 2002;26:104–108; DOI 10.1002/dc.10054 © 2002 Wiley-Liss, Inc.