Korean J Cytopathol.  1998 Jun;9(1):111-116.

Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology of Metastatic Melanoma in the Breast: A Case Report

• Oh YL
• Ko YH

Abstract

Although the characteristic cytologic features of melanoma have been well described, the diagnosis of metastatic melanoma by fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) may be difficult in the case of amelanotic melanoma and in the absence of awareness of clinical history. Furthermore, when the breast is the site of initial presentation, it could simulate a primary breast carcinoma leading to misdiagnosis. The recognition of metastatic malignant melanoma in FNAC material is essential to avoid an unnecessary mastectomy and to ensure appropriate chemotherapy. We experienced a case of metastatic melanoma of breast which presented as solitary breast mass in a 56-year-old woman. She had a history of surgical excision of right foot for melanoma one year ago. The cytologic smears were composed of noncohesive epithelioid cells with round or eccentric nuclei, bi-or multi-nucleation, prominent nucleoli, fine chromatin, and intranuclear inclusions. The cytoplasm of tumor cells had scanty melanin pigment but were diffusely positive for S-100 protein.

Keyword

Metastatic melanoma; Breast; Fine needle aspiration cytology(FNAC)

MeSH Terms

Biopsy, Fine-Needle*
Breast Neoplasms
Breast*
Chromatin
Cytoplasm
Diagnosis
Diagnostic Errors
Drug Therapy
Epithelioid Cells
Female
Foot
Humans
Intranuclear Inclusion Bodies
Mastectomy
Melanins
Melanoma*
Melanoma, Amelanotic
Middle Aged
S100 Proteins
Chromatin
Melanins
S100 Proteins