Subtitle: Cup-like appearances in pathology for exams: cup-like (fish-mouth) blasts in NPM1-mutated AML, cup-shaped stomatocytes and the inside-out clusters of micropapillary carcinoma, with a summary chart and 6 MCQs.
Author: PathologyMCQ Editorial Board
Category: Breast Pathology
Last Updated: October 2026
Read Time: 4 minutes
At-a-Glance
- Cup-like blasts (fish-mouth nuclei): AML with NPM1 mutation, often with FLT3-ITD.
- Stomatocytes: cup- or bowl-shaped red cells with a slit-like pallor.
- Micropapillary carcinoma: inside-out clusters with reverse polarity (EMA/MUC1 on the outer surface).
- A favourite “spot the shape” theme in FRCPath, NEET-SS and board exams.
Pathology MCQPathology MCQ app · Android
Get the Pathology MCQ app
Practise pathology with a new MCQ every day.
- ❓Daily MCQ with explanations and streaks
- 🔬Virtual slides you pinch-zoom, with annotations
- 📚Your courses, notes and mocks in one place
Summary Chart
Quick Table
| Finding | Where | Key association |
|---|---|---|
| Cup-like (fish-mouth) blasts | Blood / bone marrow | NPM1-mutated AML, FLT3-ITD; CD34−, HLA-DR−; cytoplasmic NPM1 IHC |
| Stomatocytes (cup-shaped RBCs) | Peripheral blood | Hereditary stomatocytosis, alcohol, liver disease, Rh-null |
| Inside-out (cup-like) clusters | Breast, bladder, lung | Invasive micropapillary carcinoma; reverse polarity, EMA/MUC1 outer rim; LVI and nodal spread |
Read more: NPM1-mutated AML → · Micropapillary breast carcinoma → · AML morphology and genetics →
Test Yourself: 6 MCQs
Cup-like appearances: 6 MCQs
Cup-like blasts, stomatocytes and inside-out clusters, with instant explanations.
More practice: the question banks →
More courses
Preparing for an exam?
Related reads: Micropapillary carcinoma → · Secretory carcinoma →
Pathology MCQ app · Android
Get the Pathology MCQ app
Practise a slide and an MCQ every day, even when you are away from your desk.
- ❓Daily MCQ with explanations and streaks
- 🔬Virtual slides you pinch-zoom, with annotations
- 📚Your courses, notes and mocks in one place
References
- WHO Classification of Tumours Editorial Board. Haematolymphoid Tumours. 5th ed. IARC; 2024.
- WHO Classification of Tumours Editorial Board. Breast Tumours. 5th ed. IARC; 2019.
Leave a Reply