Histopathology and Cytopathology of Neuroendocrine Tumors and Carcinomas of the Breast: A Review

Acta Cytol. 2019;63(4):340-346. doi: 10.1159/000500705. Epub 2019 Jun 4.

Abstract

Neuroendocrine tumors (NET) and carcinomas (NEC) of the breast are rare diseases, but NEC has attracted attention in both cytopathology and surgical pathology because of its specific management and prognosis. Fine-needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) cytology can make the diagnosis in many cases particularly with high-grade NEC, with definitive diagnosis based on histopathology and immunohistochemistry. This review describes the characteristics of the disease based on the WHO classification 2012 and recent literature and -includes discussion related to the International Academy of Cytology Yokohama System of Reporting Breast FNAB -cytology.

Keywords: Breast carcinoma; Carcinoid; Chromogranin A; Fine-needle aspiration biopsy cytology; Neuroendocrine; Synaptophysin.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adenocarcinoma / pathology*
  • Adenocarcinoma / surgery
  • Biopsy, Fine-Needle
  • Breast Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Breast Neoplasms / surgery
  • Carcinoma, Neuroendocrine / pathology*
  • Carcinoma, Neuroendocrine / surgery
  • Cytodiagnosis / methods*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Predictive Value of Tests