Fat Necrosis (Breast)
Etiology
Phagocytosis of necrotic adipose cells
Most common cause is trauma (MVC etc.)
Can be seen with duct ectasia that has ruptured (may have apocrine metaplasia present)
Clinical picture
Trauma to breast then patient has a localized, firm area with eventual scarring & calcifications.
Histologic Findings
Histologic Findings:
Consists of necrotic adipocytes, fibrosis and inflammation
Irregular steatocytes with loss of peripheral nuclei
Pink amorphous necrotic material/debris
Inflammatory cells
Foamy (lipid-laden) macrophages
+/- Foreign body giant cells
Neutrophils/lymphocytes/plasma cells
BEWARE: Reactive fibroblasts and reactive endothelial cells can look ugly and can be confused with carcinoma!!
