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Background: Metastasis to the breast of an extra-mammary origin is very rare. FNAC plays an important role in differentiating non-mammary breast metastasis from primary malignancy. This study aimed to analyze the cytomorphological criteria and its pitfalls in differentiating metastatic lesion of the breast from primary malignancy. Methodology: Retrospective analysis of 891 FNACs of the breast was performed for a time span of 3 years. A total of 12 cases were diagnosed on FNAC as secondary neoplasms to the breast. Clinical and radiological data, along with Pap and MGG stained smears of each case were examined and correlated with the histopathology of the primary tumor. Statistical analysis was carried out. All cases of primary breast malignancies were excluded from our study. Results: In 10 out of 12 cases, primary malignancies were identified as Plasma cell myeloma (one case), B-acute lymphoblastic leukemia (two cases), acute myeloid leukemia (one case); chronic myeloid leukemia (one case), Burkitt's lymphoma of the ovary (one case), Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (one case), esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (one case), spindle cell sarcoma (one case) and squamous cell carcinoma of the cervix (one case). The remaining two cases in our study were misdiagnosed on cytology as metastasis and turned out to be breast primaries on histopathology. Conclusion: Our case series highlights the importance of FNAC to differentiate secondary lesions from primary breast malignancy and thus helps to avoid unnecessary surgery to the patient. It emphasizes on the need to keep in mind the possibility of metastatic breast neoplasms in the presence of unusual cytological features on FNAC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Metastasization and distinction from mammary carcinoma is of great clinical importance because of different treatment modalities. Here, we discuss a case of stage IIIC ovarian serous carcinoma, presenting with bilateral axillary nodes metastasis after 25 months interval of its initial presentation. Increased serum CA-125 level caused clinical suspicion. Computed tomography scan of abdomen and pelvis showed no residual disease or any abdominal lymphadenopathy. Mammography of both breast were normal. Bilateral axillary nodes were noted. Guided fi ne needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) and biopsy of ovarian carcinoma to axillary node is a rare event. Its recogn done. Cytomorphology revealed poorly differentiated carcinoma, compatible to that of primary ovarian tumor. Thus, metastatic carcinoma to axillary node from ovary was confi rmed. This case illustrates a rare metastatic presentation of ovarian carcinoma and unequivocal role of FNAC to provide rapid diagnosis and preferred to be fi rst line diagnostic procedure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Goblet cell carcinoids are rare tumors of appendix having a mixed phenotype, with partial neuroendocrine differentiation and intestinal type goblet cell morphology. The reported incidence of this tumor is still limited. Till now, only two cases of metastatic goblet cell appendiceal carcinoid on effusion cytology have been reported in literature. We describe the clinico?pathological details and lay stress on fluid cytology of metastatic goblet cell carcinoid to ascitic fluid. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Thyroid carcinoma metastatic to the maxillofacial area is extremely rare. Other carcinomas can metastasize to this area, but very few cases of follicular thyroid carcinoma metastasizing to the nasopharynx have been reported. Carcinoma from the kidney, liver, large bowel, prostate, and thyroid are known to have the potential for clear cell differentiation, and all of them can metastasize to the sinonasal area. Histochemical and immunohistochemical evaluations, along with clinical details, are useful in distinguishing metastases of these clear cell tumors from primary sinonasal tumors. In this article we describe a rare case of metastatic thyroid carcinoma with clear cell change mimicking metastatic renal cell carcinoma in the nasopharynx. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Images of staining which shows tumor cell mitosis and intranuclear inclusions, and photomicrograph showing strong positive immunohistochemical staining thyroid transcription factor 1 (TTF1) and low MIB-1 labeling index (LI), pertaining to a 60-year-old male with a history of smoking, is presented.