A case of mucinous carcinoma of the male breast with unusual ultrasonographic findings mimicking phyllodes tumor

Mucinous carcinoma of the male breast is a rare histological type of cancer. We describe a 35-year old male with mucinous carcinoma of the right breast. His breast mass enlarged subacutely, and became painful over a period of 2 months. Ultrasonography demonstrated echoes of a large multilocular cystic lesion with partially heterogenic internal echoes suggesting a phyllodes tumor. A modified radica mastectomy was performed, and histopathologic examination revealed mucin-producing solid or cribriform atypical cells with fibrous granulation tissue and hemosiderin deposition. The patient recovered uneventfully, and is still free of recurrence 30 months after his operation. The prognosis for male breast cancer can be improved by early diagnosis and appropriate multidisciplinary therapy.     

A case of mucinous carcinoma of the breast that demonstrated a good pathological response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy despite a poor clinical response

A 30-year-old woman presented with a right breast tumor. Mucinous carcinoma was diagnosed by core needle biopsy (T2: 5 cm N1 M0). Despite receiving a neoadjuvant anthracycline and taxane regimen, the patient demonstrated no clinical response (NC). Based on the patient's strong preference, we performed breast-conserving surgery. On histological examination, we observed widespread mucus and a few viable malignant cells, a Grade 2 therapeutic response. Neither optimal management procedures nor guidelines for chemotherapy for primary mucinous carcinoma of the breast have been established. It is a reasonable assumption, however, that discordance between the clinical response and therapeutic response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy may occur in cases of mucinous carcinoma.     

Massive mucinous carcinoma of the breast untreated for 6 years

 We report a patient with a massive mucinous carcinoma of the breast that had been untreated for 6 years. A 47-year-old premenopausal woman presented with a large right-breast mass. Although she had noticed a lump in the right breast 6 years previously, she had not sought treatment. The tumor had enlarged gradually and become ulcerated. With a diagnosis of advanced breast cancer with skin invasion, she underwent right mastectomy with a free skin graft. No lymph node metastases or distant metastases were detected. The histologic diagnosis of the tumor was pure mucinous carcinoma of the breast with no component of ordinary invasive ductal cancer. She has been well without evidence of tumor recurrence for 7 years after the surgery. The prognosis for mucinous carcinoma of the breast has been recognized as relatively good. The results in our patient are consistent with the biological behavior of this carcinoma. Received: August 29, 2002 / Accepted: December 12, 2002 Correspondence to:F. Yoneyama     

Isoechoic axillary lymph node metastases of mucinous carcinoma of the Breast: A case report

We report a case of isoechoic axillary lymph node metastasis of mucinous carcinoma (so-called pure mucinous carcinoma) of the breast. A 47-year-old premenopausal woman was referred to our hospital with a 2 years history of mass and distortion of her left breast and with recent worsening of her symptoms. Ultrasonography demonstrated a well-circumscribed mass, about 5 cm in diameter, which was isoechoic compared to the surrounding fat tissue. Distal enhancement was also recognized. A left axillary ultrasonographic scan demonstrated four nodules, which were indistinct because of their isoechogenicity compared to the surrounding tissue. Based on a preoperative diagnosis of mucinous carcinoma of the left breast with left axillary lymph nodes metastases, left mastectomy and left axillary nodal dissection were performed. Mucinous carcinoma with axillary lymph node metastases was diagnosed histologically. The lymph node metastases showed histological findings identical to those of the primary tumor, which was considered to be the reason for their isoechogenicity. Although lymph node metastasis of mucinous carcinoma of the breast is rare, ultrasonographers should perform careful scanning when the primary breast mass is suspicious for mucinous carcinoma, because lymph node metastases of mucinous carcinoma can be more indistinct and difficult to detect than those of other types of breast cancer.     

单纯型和混合型乳腺黏液腺癌的超声特征分析

目的 分析单纯型乳腺黏液腺癌（pure mucinous breast carcinoma,PMBC）和混合型乳腺黏液腺癌（mixed mucinous breast carcinoma,MMBC）的二维超声和彩色多普勒血流显像特征。方法 回顾性分析2013年1月至2020年12月于我院就诊且经手术病理证实的49例乳腺黏液腺癌（mucinous breast carcinoma,MBC）患者的二维超声、彩色多普勒血流显像表现,比较PMBC和MMBC患者在形态、边缘、内部回声、后方回声、钙化、血流分级和BI-RADS分类等方面的差异。结果 49例MBC病灶中,BI-RADS 3类1例,BI-RADS 4a类4例,BI-RADS 4b类15例,BI-RADS 4c类11例,BI-RADS 5类18例。PMBC组肿块呈混合回声的显示率高于MMBC组（P=0.025）;MMBC组肿块后方回声衰减及边缘毛刺、模糊的显示率高于PMBC组（P=0.008,0.023）;MMBC组血流3级肿块和BI-RADS 5类肿块占比均高于PMBC组;BI-RADS 4b类肿块占比低于PMBC组。结论 PMBC较...     

Mucocele-like tumor of the breast: a case report and assessment of aspirated cytological specimens

Background: Mucocele-like tumor (MLT) is a rare benign condition, and often misdiagnosed as mucinous carcinoma. Methods: We encountered a 31-year-old woman with MLT of the breast. The patient presented with an elastic hard mass, 0.5 cm in diameter, located in the upper outer quadrant of the right breast. Results: Physical examination as well as ultrasonography and mammography indicated a benign lesion. However, mucinous carcinoma was suspected based on aspiration biopsy cytology. MLT was finally diagnosed on excisional biopsy. Conclusions: Awareness of this breast disease helps to prevent misdiagnosis and unnecessary surgery.     

A retrospective review with long term follow up of 11,400 cases of pure mucinous breast carcinoma

Background Pure mucinous breast carcinoma (PMBC) is a rare histologic type of mammary neoplasm. It has been associated with a better short-term prognosis than infiltrating ductal carcinoma (IDC) but identical long-term survival curves have been reported. The value of tumor size for TNM staging has been challenged because of the mucin content of the lesions. This study presents a large PMBC series with 20 years follow up as compared to IDC. The relative significance of a variety of common prognostic factors is calculated for this uncommon histology. Materials and methods A retrospective analysis of all PMBC cases reported in the SEER database between 1973 and 2002 was conducted. Overall survival (OS) and disease specific survival (DSS) were calculated at 5, 10, 15 and 20 years of follow up. Those curves were compared with all the IDC cases reported into the database during the same period. The prognostic significance of gender, race, laterality, age at diagnosis, T and N status, estrogen and progesterone receptors and administration of radiation therapy was calculated by univariate and multivariate analysis. Results There were 11,422 PMBC patients reported. The median age at diagnosis was 71 years (Range 25–85). Fifty three percent of the tumors were well differentiated, 38% were moderately differentiated and the remaining 9% were poorly differentiated or anaplastic. The majority of the tumors were located in the upper outer quadrant (44%) the other 56% were roughly evenly divided between the upper inner, lower inner, lower outer and central quadrants. Eighty six percent of the patients had only localized disease at the time of surgery without nodal or distant disease while 12% had regional nodal involvement and 2% had distant metastases. The PMBC cases showed a better differentiation with lesions of lesser grade and more frequent ER/PR expression, smaller size and lesser nodal involvement when compared to the IDC cases of the same period. Kaplan Meier survival curves revealed a 5 years. breast cancer specific survival rate of 94%. Although slowly decreasing with time, 10, 15 and 20 years survival were 89%, 85% and 81% respectively compared to 82% (5 year), 72% (10 year), 66% (15 year) and 62% (20 year) for IDC. There were no significant differences in overall survival. Multivariate analysis by Cox regression revealed the nodal status (N) to be the most significant prognostic factor followed by age, tumor size (T), progesterone receptors and nuclear grade. Disease specific survival curves stratified for nodal status revealed a highly significant difference between node negative and node positive patients. The addition of radiation therapy after surgery did not significantly improve overall survival. Conclusions This large retrospective comparative analysis confirms the less aggressive behavior of PMBC compared to IDC. This favorable outcome is maintained after 20 years. This tumor presents typically in older patients and is rarely associated with nodal disease. Positive Nodal status appears to be the most significant predictor of worse prognosis.     

具有微乳头状结构的乳腺黏液癌临床病理学观察及预后因素分析

背景与目的：乳腺黏液癌是一种好发于老年女性且预后较好的乳腺癌,形态学上表现为细胞外间质内有大量黏液,其中漂浮着癌细胞。在伴有黏液分泌的乳腺浸润癌中可见黏液湖中漂浮的肿瘤细胞呈微乳头状,将之命名为具有微乳头状结构的乳腺黏液癌（pure mucinous breast carcinoma with micropapillary pattern,MUMPC）。探讨MUMPC的临床病理学特征,并分析患者的预后影响因素。方法：回顾性分析2010年1月—2018年12月南京医科大学附属常州市第二人民医院收治的40例MUMPC患者的临床病理学资料。计数资料两组间比较采用χ ² 检验或精确概率检验,应用Kaplan-Meier法计算生存率,log-rank检验和COX回归模型进行单因素和多因素预后影响分析。结果：40例患者均为女性,年龄30~80岁,中位年龄56岁,40例患者均获得术后随访,随访时间为8.0~89.0个月,中位随访时间为60.0个月,1、3和5年无病生存（disease-free survival,DFS）率为100%、87%和62%,1、3和5年总生存（overall survival,OS）率为100%、95%和85%。单因素分析结果显示,肿瘤临床TNM分期、肿瘤最大径、淋巴结转移、脉管侵犯、肿瘤细胞核级别、神经内分泌标志、分子分型、Ki-67增殖指数是影响MUMPC患者预后的相关因素（P＜0.05）。多因素分析结果显示,肿瘤临床TNM分期、肿瘤细胞核级别、淋巴结转移是影响MUMPC患者预后的独立危险因素（P＜0.05）。结论：MUMPC发病率较低,5年OS率较高。TNM分期、肿瘤细胞核级别、淋巴结转移是影响MUMPC患者预后的独立危险因素。     

Signet ring cell carcinoma associated with invasive ductal carcinoma of the breast: A case report

A signet ring cell carcinoma (SRCC) associated with invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC) of the breast occurred in a 52-year-old woman. She was admitted in December 1994 for investigation of a palpable right breast mass. On physical examination a tumor measuring 2.5X2.1 cm was palpable in the right upper lateral portion of the breast. Ultrasonography of the breast visualized an irregular-shaped tumor. On January 1995, modified radical mastectomy was performed, and the postoperative course was uneventful. Histological examination revealed a tumor consisting of IDC with a component of SRCC that occupied about 40% of the area of the invasive carcinoma. We reviewed the cases of IDC with SRCC from the Japanese literature with consideration of the characteristics and problems of this rare tumor.     

Squamous cell carcinoma of the breast: three case reports

Three cases of squamous cell carcinoma of the breast, initially diagnosed by fine needle aspiration cytology, are presented. The first case was a 49-year-old woman with a T1 tumor located in the lower outer quadrant of the left breast. Ultrasonography revealed a cystic tumor. Aspiration cytology suggested squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). Mastectomy was performed. Histological examination revealed a pure SCC. The second case was a 40-year-old woman with a T1 tumor located in the upper outer quadrant of the right breast. Ultrasonography showed a cystic tumor and aspiration cytology revealed SCC. A quadrantectomy was performed. Histological examination revealed predominant SCC with an adenocarcinoma component. Estrogen receptor (ER) was negative. The patient received postoperative radiation. Thirteen months after the first operation, a salvage mastectomy was performed because of local recurrence. The third case was a 61-year-old woman with a T1 tumor located in the upper outer quadrant of the right breast. Ultrasonography showed a solid tumor. Aspiration cytology revealed both SCC and adenocarcinoma. Wide excision was performed. Histological examination revealed predominant SCC with foci of adenocarcinoma. ER was negative. She received postoperative radiation. The three patients are alive and disease-free 10 to 54 months after operations.     

A case of recurrent invasive lobular carcinoma of the breast found as metastasis to the duodenum

A 57-year-old woman underwent modified radical mastectomy for cancer of the left breast (stage IIB) in February 2004. Invasive lobular carcinoma was diagnosed on histopathological examination. The patient received postoperative chemotherapy and endocrine therapy on an outpatient basis and was observed. In August 2005, anorexia developed. Blood chemical tests showed elevated levels of liver enzymes and bilirubin. Computed tomography (CT) of the abdomen revealed an enlarged duodenum and dilated intrahepatic biliary and pancreatic ducts. Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy showed edema of the duodenum. A biopsy yielded a diagnosis of poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma. Duodenal carcinoma was suspected, and a pancreatoduodenectomy was performed. Duodenal metastasis from invasive lobular carcinoma was diagnosed on postoperative histopathological examination. After surgery, the patient recovered uneventfully and was discharged from the hospital. In March 2006, bilateral hydronephrosis apparently caused by peritoneal metastasis developed, and she subsequently died. Invasive lobular carcinoma is characterized by the development of gastrointestinal metastases and is rarely detected before autopsy. We describe our experience with a patient in whom invasive lobular carcinoma of the breast with metastasis to the duodenal wall was definitively diagnosed on laparotomy.     

A case of invasive lobular carcinoma of the breast first manifesting with duodenal obstruction

Lobular carcinoma of the breast presents with various clinical manifestations. Lobular carcinoma comprises about one fifth of cases of ductal carcinoma. Intestinal metastasis is dominant in cases of lobular carcinoma. Without a prior diagnosis of lobular carcinoma of the breast, the diagnosis of intestinal metastasis from breast cancer is difficult. A 52-year-old women underwent duodenogastrectomy for duodenal cancer. About 18 months later, she underwent mastectomy for lobular carcinoma of the breast. The duodenal cancer consisted mainly of malignant cells invading the submucosa that were identical to those in the breast. Immunohistochemical assays for estrogen receptor also confirmed breast cancer metastasis. Duodenal obstruction was the first sign of isolated metastatic lobular carcinoma of the breast in this case. The characteristic metastatic pattern of lobular carcinoma, which differs from that of ductal carcinoma, should be kept in mind to ensue proper diagnosis. Preceding breast surgery for lobular carcinoma should prompt investigation based on the typical metastatic pattern.     

A case of solid neuroendocrine carcinoma of the breast in a 40-year-old Woman

We report a case of neuroendocrine carcinoma in a 40-year-old woman who presented with two lumps in her left breast. Mammography failed to reveal any lesions because she had so-called dense breasts, but ultrasonography showed 4 irregular hypoechoic masses. Magnetic resonance imaging also showed 4 homogeneous lobulated tumors with early contrast enhancement, suggesting malignancy. Core needle biopsy and subsequent immunohistochemical examination of the specimens was performed. Neuroendocrine carcinoma was diagnosed. The tumor cells were diffusely positive for chromogranin A and synaptophysin, and some were positive for CD56. We performed total mastectomy with sentinel lymph node biopsy, which showed no metastasis. Recurrence has not been detected at 36 months after surgery.     

A case of endocrine ductal carcinoma of the breast

A case of endocrine ductal carcinoma of the breast is presented. A 65-year-old woman was admitted with complaints of left breast mass and pain. Physical examination, mammography, ultrasonography, and computed tomography showed a mass 5 cm in diameter in the left breast suggestive of breast cancer, and incisional biopsy confirmed ductal carcinoma. Auchincloss's mastectomy was performed. The tumor, 4.0 x 3.8 cm in size, consisted of a relatively uniform proliferation of tumor cells with round nuclei and abundant eosinophilic cytoplasm. Immunohistochemically, tumors cells were positive for chromogranin A, synaptophysin, and neuron-specific enolase. Endocrine ductal carcinoma with invasion was diagnosed. No lymph node metastasis was observed, and estrogen and progesterone receptors were positive.     

Clinicopathological and prognostic differences between mucinous gastric carcinoma and signet-ring cell carcinoma

Objective: To analyze the differences in clinicopathologic characteristics and prognosis between mucinous gastric carcinoma (MGC) and signet-ring cell carcinoma (SRCC). Methods: Clinicopathologic and prognostic data of 1,637 patients with histologically confirmed MGC or SRCC who received surgical operations in the Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Beijing Cancer Hospital between December 2004 and December 2009 were retrospectively collected and analyzed. The clinicopathological features were analyzed statistically using χ 2 test. Survival was analyzed using the Kaplan-Meier method and multivariate analysis of Cox proportional hazards regression model (backward, stepwise). Results: A total of 181 patients with gastric cancer (74 MGC, 107 SRCC) were included. MGC, when compared with SRCC, was featured by senile patients, stage III and IV, upper third stomach, large tumor size, positive lymph node metastasis, and positive lymphatic vascular invasion (P<0.05). The overall 5-year survival rate showed no difference between the two groups (48.8% vs. 44.8%, P>0.05). However, the survival rate for MGC patients was significant lower than that for SRCC patients when compared among the age <60 years, negative distant metastasis, and tumor localized at upper third stomach (P<0.05). Multivariate Cox proportional hazards models revealed that distant metastasis was a significant independent prognostic indicator in MGC group, and lymph node metastasis and distant metastasis was significant independent prognostic indicators in SRCC group. Conclusions: While compared with SRCC, MGC is associated with a more aggressive tumor biologic behavior. There is no statistically significant difference in distant metastasis, an independent prognostic indicator for both MGC and SRCC, which might be the reason for no significant difference of the overall survival rate between the patients with MGC and SRCC.     

Lymphoepithelioma-like carcinoma of the breast presenting as breast abscess

Lymphoepithelioma-like carcinoma (LELC) is a rare type of neoplasm in which only twenty cases have been reported in the breast. This type of tumor can be difficult to distinguish from other breast tumors particularly medullary carcinoma and lymphoma in the breast. We present a case of LELC of the breast presenting as an abscess along with a review of the literature. This is the 21^st reported case of LELC of the breast and the first case to present as an abscess. Her clinical picture could have been mistaken for other infectious or inflammatory diseases. Given the potential for favorable outcome, early detection and general knowledge of this neoplasm are essential to expedite treatment for this rare tumor type.     

乳腺癌垂体转移1例报告

目的通过报道1例乳腺癌垂体转移病例,结合相关文献,总结垂体转移癌的临床特点,以提高对垂体转移癌的认识和诊断水平。方法分析解放军第222医院1例确诊为乳腺癌垂体转移患者的临床资料,整理近期国内外关于垂体转移癌的相关文献。结果垂体转移癌十分罕见,多来源于乳腺癌和肺癌,缺乏特征性影像学表现,以尿崩症、视神经损害和垂体前叶功能障碍为主要临床表现,与腺瘤的主要鉴别要点是具有侵袭性。结论对于生长迅速、侵袭性强、同时影响垂体前后叶功能的鞍区肿瘤需注意和垂体转移癌相鉴别。     

Lipid-secreting carcinoma of the breast: A case report and review of the literature

A case of lipid-secreting carcinoma in the right breast of a 78-year-old Japanese woman is reported. Light microscopy revealed solid alveolar proliferation in the majority of tumor cells, which had abundant foamy cytoplasm. A variable amount of neutral lipid was identified in the cytoplasm of the tumor cells by Sudan III staining and electron microscopy. This case is reported along with a discussion of other cases of lipid-secreting or lipid-rich carcinoma that have been reported in the international literature.