Solitary intramammary schwannoma mimicking phylloides tumor: Cytological clues in the diagnosis

Abstract

A 30-year-old woman presented with a huge exophytic lobulated mass in the right breast, clinically and radiologically resembling phylloides tumor. Fine needle aspiration cytology smears showed clusters and singly scattered spindle cells along with structures reminiscent of verocay bodies. However, the epithelial elements were absent. A cytological diagnosis of benign mesenchymal spindle cell lesion, suggestive of schwannoma was rendered. Subsequent histopathological examination and strong S-100 positivity of tumor cells on immunohistochemistry confirmed the diagnosis.Breast is an uncommon location for benign schwannoma. The present case describes the unusual clinical picture, highlights cytological features and discusses the differential diagnoses of schwannoma from other benign spindle cells lesions of the breast on cytology smears.

Keywords

• Breast; cytology; phylloides; schwannoma