Invasive lobular carcinoma of breast with hyaline globules (Thanatosomes)

Abstract

Hyaline globules have been observed in many neoplastic and non-neoplastic processes. They represent terminal cytoplasmic structures associated with cytoplasmic blebbing, which are related to cell injury and apoptosis. Thanatosomes are also such hyaline globules seen invariably associated with increased apoptosis and may contain nuclear fragments, occasionally observed in high grade tumours. Thanatosomes are reported rarely in breast tumours. Here we describe a case of invasive lobular carcinoma of breast with hyaline globules [thanatosomes].