Metaplastic carcinoma of the breast: Imaging and pathological features

Bian,Tiantian; Lin,Qing; Wu,Zengjie; Cui,Chunxiao; Qi,Chunhua; Li,Li; Su,Xiaohui

doi:10.3892/ol.2016.5177

November-2016 Volume 12 Issue 5

Full Size Image

Journals

International Journal of Molecular Medicine

International Journal of Molecular Medicine is an international journal devoted to molecular mechanisms of human disease.

International Journal of Oncology

International Journal of Oncology is an international journal devoted to oncology research and cancer treatment.

Molecular Medicine Reports

Covers molecular medicine topics such as pharmacology, pathology, genetics, neuroscience, infectious diseases, molecular cardiology, and molecular surgery.

Oncology Reports

Oncology Reports is an international journal devoted to fundamental and applied research in Oncology.

Experimental and Therapeutic Medicine

Experimental and Therapeutic Medicine is an international journal devoted to laboratory and clinical medicine.

Oncology Letters

Oncology Letters is an international journal devoted to Experimental and Clinical Oncology.

Biomedical Reports

Explores a wide range of biological and medical fields, including pharmacology, genetics, microbiology, neuroscience, and molecular cardiology.

Molecular and Clinical Oncology

International journal addressing all aspects of oncology research, from tumorigenesis and oncogenes to chemotherapy and metastasis.

World Academy of Sciences Journal

Multidisciplinary open-access journal spanning biochemistry, genetics, neuroscience, environmental health, and synthetic biology.

International Journal of Functional Nutrition

Open-access journal combining biochemistry, pharmacology, immunology, and genetics to advance health through functional nutrition.

International Journal of Epigenetics

Publishes open-access research on using epigenetics to advance understanding and treatment of human disease.

Medicine International

An International Open Access Journal Devoted to General Medicine.

November-2016 Volume 12 Issue 5

Full Size Image

Article

Metaplastic carcinoma of the breast: Imaging and pathological features

Authors:
- Tiantian Bian
- Qing Lin
- Zengjie Wu
- Chunxiao Cui
- Chunhua Qi
- Li Li
- Xiaohui Su
View Affiliations / Copyright

Affiliations: Department of Breast Imaging and Radiology, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong 266100, P.R. China, Department of PET/CT, Qingdao Center Medical Group, Qingdao, Shandong 266042, P.R. China
Pages: 3975-3980
|
Published online on: September 22, 2016

https://doi.org/10.3892/ol.2016.5177
Expand metrics +

Abstract

Metaplastic carcinoma of the breast is a rare form of breast cancer. The aim of the present study was to investigate the imaging and pathological features of metaplastic carcinoma. The features identified on mammography and sonography were retrospectively reviewed in 13 women with metaplastic carcinoma of the breast. The results from the mammographs and sonographs were additionally evaluated using immunohistochemical staining for the expression of the estrogen receptor (ER) and progesterone receptor (PR), receptor tyrosine‑protein kinase erbB‑2 (CerbB‑2) and P53. The most common features observed in the mammographs were as follows: Irregular and oval shaped masses, 53.8 and 46.2%, respectively; spiculated and circumscribed margins, each 30.8%; and high and marginally high density masses, 69.2 and 30.8%, respectively. The most common sonography features observed were as follows: Hypoechoic masses, 84.6%; complex echogenicity, 76.9%; irregular, round and oval shaped masses, 69.2, 30.8 and 30.8%, respectively; indistinct and circumscribed margins, 53.8 and 46.2%, respectively; an abundant blood flow, 53.8%; and posterior acoustic enhancement, 61.5%. The immunohistochemical (IHC) profile for 13 patients demonstrated that ER was not expressed in 100% of patients, PR and CerbB‑2 were not present in 92.3% of patients, and P53 was present in 63.6% of patients. Therefore, metaplastic carcinoma of the breast exhibits more benign IHC features compared with invasive ductal carcinoma. In addition, it may be challenging to diagnose patients that do not possess posterior acoustic enhancement or express hormone receptors from other types of breast cancer.

View Figures

View References

1	Leddy R, Irshad A, Rumboldt T, Cluver A, Campbell A and Ackerman S: Review of metaplastic carcinoma of the breast: Imaging findings and pathologic features. J Clin Imaging Sci. 2:212012. View Article : Google Scholar : PubMed/NCBI
2	Esbah O, Turkoz FP, Turker I, Durnali A, Ekinci AS, Bal O, Sonmez OU, Budakoglu B, Arslan UY and Oksuzoglu B: Metaplastic breast carcinoma: Case series and review of the literature. Asian Pac J Cancer Prev. 13:4645–4649. 2012. View Article : Google Scholar : PubMed/NCBI
3	Song Y, Liu X, Zhang G, Song H, Ren Y, He X, Wang Y, Zhang J, Zhang Y, Sun S, et al: Unique clinicopathological features of metaplastic breast carcinoma compared with invasive ductal carcinoma and poor prognostic indicators. World J Surg Oncol. 11:129–138. 2013. View Article : Google Scholar : PubMed/NCBI
4	Choi BB and Shu KS: Metaplastic carcinoma of the breast: Multimodality imaging and histopathologic assessment. Acta Radiol. 53:5–11. 2012. View Article : Google Scholar : PubMed/NCBI
5	Yang WT, Hennessy B, Broglio K, Mills C, Sneige N, Davis WG, Valero V, Hunt KK and Gilcrease MZ: Imaging differences in metaplastic and invasive ductal carcinomas of the breast. AJR Am J Roentgenol. 189:1288–1293. 2007. View Article : Google Scholar : PubMed/NCBI
6	Mercado CL: BI-RADS update. Radiol Clin North Am. 52:481–487. 2014. View Article : Google Scholar : PubMed/NCBI
7	Pitts WC, Rojas VA, Gaffey MJ, Rouse RV, Esteban J, Frierson HF, Kempson RL and Weiss LM: Carcinomas with metaplasia and sarcomas of the breast. Am J Clin Pathol. 95:623–632. 1991. View Article : Google Scholar : PubMed/NCBI
8	Shin HJ, Kim HH, Kim SM, Kim DB, Kim MJ, Gong G, Im SA and Cha ES: Imaging Features of Metaplastic Carcinoma with Chondroid Differentiation of the Breast. AJR. 188:691–697. 2007. View Article : Google Scholar : PubMed/NCBI
9	Oberman HA: Metaplastic carcinoma of the breast. A clinicopathologic study of 29 patients. Am J Surg Pathol. 11:918–929. 1987. View Article : Google Scholar : PubMed/NCBI
10	Park JM, Han BK, Moon WK, Choe YH, Ahn SH and Gong G: Metaplastic carcinoma of the breast: Mammographic and sonographic findings. J Clin Ultrasound. 28:179–186. 2000. View Article : Google Scholar : PubMed/NCBI
11	Kaas R, Kroger R, Hendriks JH, Besnard AP, Koops W, Pameijer FA, Prevoo W, Loo CE and Muller SH: The significance of circumscribed malignant mammographic masses in the surveillance of BRCA 1/2 gene mutation carriers. Eur Radiol. 14:1647–1653. 2004. View Article : Google Scholar : PubMed/NCBI
12	Chao TC, Wang CS, Chen SC and Chen MF: Metaplastic carcinomas of the breast. J Surg Oncol. 71:220–225. 1999. View Article : Google Scholar : PubMed/NCBI

Journals

International Journal of Molecular Medicine

International Journal of Oncology

Molecular Medicine Reports

Oncology Reports

Experimental and Therapeutic Medicine

Oncology Letters

Biomedical Reports

Molecular and Clinical Oncology

World Academy of Sciences Journal

International Journal of Functional Nutrition

International Journal of Epigenetics

Medicine International

Metaplastic carcinoma of the breast: Imaging and pathological features

This article is mentioned in:

Abstract

Figure 1

Related Articles