Angiolipoma of the female breast: clinicomorphological correlation of 52 cases

Int J Surg Pathol. 2011 Feb;19(1):35-43. doi: 10.1177/1066896910385679. Epub 2010 Nov 17.

Abstract

The authors analyzed 52 cases of female breast angiolipoma (AL). Age distribution was 25 to 80 years of age (56.81 ± 12.78). Most cases showed vascularity below 50%, and 14 cases had vascularity >50%. Cellular and low-vascularity ALs had different clinical and radiological presentations. The mean size was 7.00 ± 3.62 mm for cellular ALs and 19.61 ± 7.58 mm for low-vascularity ALs. In any paucicellular area, the authors could identify a cluster of at least 3 interconnected vessels. The endothelium was mostly flat with uniform, hyperchromatic nuclei, and mitoses and nucleoli were absent. Fibrin thrombi in proliferating capillaries were noted in 96% of cases. Low-vascularity AL can be reliably distinguished on needle core biopsy from other lipomatous and vascular tumors of the breast. Tortuosity and proliferation of capillaries with at least 3 interconnected capillary channels in 1 focus with associated fibrin thrombi constitute a very strong clue for the diagnosis of AL on a breast needle core biopsy. Definite diagnosis of cellular AL is not always feasible because of rare cases with mitotic activity and cellular atypia. Excision is often recommended for cellular AL.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Angiolipoma / pathology*
  • Biopsy, Needle
  • Breast Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Middle Aged