BACKGROUND: Melanocytic colonization in breast carcinoma with skin invasion is an unusual entity. Very rarely does florid colonization by melanocytes simulate melanoma. This phenomenon requires recognition. The cytomorphology of this lesion is reported below for the first time. CASE: A 45-year-female operated on for breast carcinoma developed a recurrent nodule on the mastectomy scar and another circumscribed, depigmented nodule on the back. Fine needle aspiration cytology smears from the recurrent nodule showed features of lobular carcinoma of the breast, whereas the nodule on the back showed cytomorphologic features simulating melanoma along with cells simulating lobular carcinoma of the breast. CONCLUSION: We report for the first time the cytologic finding of melanocytic colonization in subcutaneous secondary breast carcinoma.
BACKGROUND: Melanocytic colonization in breast carcinoma with skin invasion is an unusual entity. Very rarely does florid colonization by melanocytes simulate melanoma. This phenomenon requires recognition. The cytomorphology of this lesion is reported below for the first time. CASE: A 45-year-female operated on for breast carcinoma developed a recurrent nodule on the mastectomy scar and another circumscribed, depigmented nodule on the back. Fine needle aspiration cytology smears from the recurrent nodule showed features of lobular carcinoma of the breast, whereas the nodule on the back showed cytomorphologic features simulating melanoma along with cells simulating lobular carcinoma of the breast. CONCLUSION: We report for the first time the cytologic finding of melanocytic colonization in subcutaneous secondary breast carcinoma.