Pseudoangiomatous stromal hyperplasia of the breast

Pseudoangiomatous stromal hyperplasia of the breast may form a clinical mass or may be an incidental microscopic finding. It is characterised by the presence of "vascular-like" spaces lined by flattened spindle cells and devoid or red cells. Some authors regard this as an exaggerated form of stromal hyperplasia with spaces that are artefactal. Others regard the spaces as genuine prelymphatic spaces, which may facultatively open to increase drainage into the main lymphatics. The presence of these spaces in frozen sections and the report that they may become permeated by carcinoma1 argues for their genuineness. The lining cells lack Weibel-Palade bodies and do not have the immunohistochemical properties of endothelial cells.

Immunohistochemistry

CD31

negative

CD34

positive, 4/51

Factor VIII RA

negative

Ulex europeus

negative

SMA

variably positive

Vimentin

variably positive

Desmin

variably positive

bcl-2

variably positive

CK14

0/51
 

References

1Damiani, S., Eusebi, V. Malignant neoplasms infiltrating pseudoangiomatous' stromal hyperplasia of the breast: an unrecognized pathway of tumour spread. Histopathology 2002;41:208-215.

This page last revised 21.9.2002.

©SMUHT/PW Bishop