Breast Carcinoma with Osteoclast-like Giant Cells
Definition
- Breast carcinoma with associated multinucleated cells
Alternate/Historical Names
- Carcinoma with osteoclastic giant cells
- Carcinoma with stromal multinucleated giant cells
Diagnostic Criteria
- Background carcinoma is otherwise unremarkable
- Most types of carcinoma have been reported
- Infiltrating ductal most common
- Lobular, adenoid cystic, cribriform, tubular, papillary also reported
- Most types of carcinoma have been reported
- Multinucleated giant cells associated with the carcinoma
- 3-50 nuclei
- Cytologically bland
- May have prominent nucleoli
- No mitotic activity in giant cells
- Cytologically bland
- Usually located in stroma
- Usually immediately adjacent to nests of carcinoma cells
- Frequently associated with prominent thin walled vessels and hemosiderin
- Occasionally located within lumens formed by carcinoma cells
- 3-50 nuclei
- Gross appearance frequently spongy and brown/red
- Must not have sarcomatous or metaplastic stroma
Richard L Kempson MD
Robert V Rouse MD
Department of Pathology
Stanford University School of Medicine
Stanford CA 94305-5342
Original posting:: May 15, 2006