Crystallizing galactocele of the breast masquerading as a malignancy: Report of a rare case with cytological diagnosis

Diagn Cytopathol. 2022 Aug;50(8):E236-E239. doi: 10.1002/dc.24974. Epub 2022 Apr 30.

Abstract

Galactoceles are the common benign cystic breast lesions during pregnancy and lactation. This report describes the cytological findings of a case of long standing galactocele which underwent crystallization and mimicked carcinoma clinically as well as on sonography. A young woman presented with a hard painless lump in the right breast. She noticed the lump during her pregnancy 2.5 years back. Clinically the lesion was hard and sonography was equivocal in categorizing the lesion. An FNAC was performed which showed granular amorphous material along with crystals of various shapes and sizes. A diagnosis of crystallizing galactocele was made and woman was assured about the benign nature of the lesion. The cytological findings of crystallizing galactocele have been reported in very few cases. In the present case, a detailed history and clinical examination followed by fine needle aspiration established the diagnosis of crystallizing galactocele.

Keywords: FNAC; crystallizing; galactocele.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Breast / pathology
  • Breast Cyst* / diagnosis
  • Breast Cyst* / pathology
  • Breast Neoplasms* / diagnosis
  • Breast Neoplasms* / pathology
  • Female
  • Fibrocystic Breast Disease* / pathology
  • Humans
  • Lactation
  • Pregnancy

Supplementary concepts

  • Galactocele