Postoperative spindle cell nodule of the breast: Pseudosarcomatous myofibroblastic proliferation following endo‐surgery

• Published in: Pathology international Vol. 58; no. 12; pp. 787 - 791
• Main Authors: Garijo, María Francisca, Val‐Bernal, José Fernando, Vega, Alfonso, Val, Daniel
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Melbourne, Australia Blackwell Publishing Asia 01.12.2008
• Subjects: Biopsy, Needle - adverse effects; breast; Breast Diseases - etiology; Breast Diseases - pathology; Breast Diseases - surgery; breast fine‐needle aspiration; Female; Fibroblasts - pathology; Humans; Mammography; Middle Aged; Postoperative Complications; Postoperative Period; postoperative spindle cell nodule; post‐core needle biopsy changes; pseudosarcomatous myofibroblastic proliferation; reactive spindle cell nodule; Sarcoma - pathology
• ISSN: 1320-5463; 1440-1827
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1440-1827.2008.02312.x

Despite the frequent use of fine‐needle aspiration, core biopsy and surgery, postoperative spindle cell nodule (PSCN) is a rare pathological complication that may be diagnostically treacherous. Presented herein is the case of a 52‐year‐old woman who developed a 7 mm mammary nodular lesion 66 days after removal of an area of columnar cell hyperplasia involving cellular and architectural atypia, performed with the Mammotome Breast Biopsy System. The lesion was highly cellular and composed of intersecting fascicles of plump spindle cells with blunt‐ended elongated nuclei and nucleoli easily visible. Interspersed mononuclear cells and hemosiderin‐laden macrophages were evident. PSCN is a reactive, benign myofibroblastic proliferation. Differential diagnosis includes benign and malignant spindle cell lesions of the breast. Recognition of this reactive lesion will avoid overdiagnosis of spindle cell malignant tumor. Attention to clinicopathological and histological features should result in accurate recognition of this lesion.