Cytology of glycogen-rich (clear cell) carcinoma of the breast. A report of two cases.

BACKGROUND

Glycogen-rich (clear cell) carcinoma of the breast is an unusual variant of breast carcinoma that has been described only recently.

CASES

We report two cases of glycogen-rich carcinoma with the corresponding fine needle aspiration findings. Cytologically, the presence of a delicate/foamy to clear cytoplasm was the only feature identified to distinguish these tumors from the more common infiltrating duct carcinoma.

CONCLUSION

Cytologically, the characteristics were not distinctive enough to predict the clear cell nature of the tumor histology. Other breast carcinomas that show optically clear cytoplasm include lipid-rich, secretory, histiocytoid and signet-ring carcinoma. Some cytologic features distinguish them from glycogen-rich carcinoma. Clinical correlation would be required to exclude metastatic clear cell carcinoma from such primaries as the kidney.