Fine-needle cytology and flow cytometry assessment of reactive and lymphoproliferative processes of the breast.

Objective: The breast may be affected by reactive and lymphoproliferative processes such as primary (PBL) or secondary (SBL) lymphoma, reactive intramammary lymph nodes and sclerosing lobulitis; imaging may be not specific and surgical treatment not indicated. We report an experience with fine-needle cytology (FNAC) combined with flow cytometry (FC) and immunocytochemistry (ICC) in the diagnosis of these processes.

Study Design: Thirty-seven cases comprising intramammary lymph nodes (n = 15), sclerosing lobulitis (n = 2), PBL (n = 11) and SBL (n = 9) are reported.