Aspiration cytodiagnosis of breast carcinoma in pregnancy and lactation with immunohistochemical and electron microscopic study of an unusual mammary malignancy with pleomorphic giant cells.

We have reviewed our experience with 8,706 needle aspiration cytology (NAC) of the breast which were done from January 1983 to June 1991. During our study we diagnosed four cases of breast carcinomas (three ductal type and one with pleomorphic giant cells) in pregnant or lactating women; in all of these the cytologic findings corresponded with the subsequent tissue diagnosis and cell block preparations. Considering that carcinoma of breast during pregnancy and lactation is rare and is second only to cervical cancer, it was felt that its diagnosis by NAC was useful for timely management. In the case in which pleomorphic giant cells were present as an integral component of the tumour, immunohistochemical and electron microscopic study was done. This is discussed in view of our recent experience with this unusual tumour.