Comparative features of comedo and noncomedo ductal carcinoma in situ of the breast on fine‐needle aspiration biopsy

Abstract

To determine whether fine‐needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) can differentiate between comedo (C‐DCIS) and noncomedo ductal carcinoma in situ (NC‐DCIS), we reviewed retrospectively the preoperative FNAB and surgical biopsy slides of 13 cases of DCIS with adequate cytologic material. Eight were NC‐DCIS and 5 were C‐DCIS. Three (60 percent) of the C‐DCIS and 7 (88%) of the NC‐DCIS were nonpalpable lesions biopsied under conventional mammographic guidance. Three (60%) of the C‐DCIS but only 2 (25%) of the NC‐DCIS were considered either suspicious or positive for malignancy on FNAB, the remainder in both groups being atypical. A statistically significant difference in marked nuclear pleomorphism (60% of C‐DCIS vs. 0% of NC‐DCIS, P=0.04) and large nucleoli (60% of C‐DCIS vs. 0% of NC‐DCIS, P=0.04) was observed between these 2 groups. DCIS is morphologically diverse, and it appears that the cytologic features of individual cells on FNAB may distinguish C‐DCIS from NC‐DCIS. Diagn Cytopalhol 1992;8:571‐576.