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Diagnostic Pathology
Published in: Diagnostic Pathology 1/2014

Open Access 01-12-2014 | Research

Metaplastic carcinoma of the breast: an immunohistochemical study

Authors: Fadwa J Altaf, Ghadeer A Mokhtar, Eman Emam, Rana Y Bokhary, Najlaa Bin Mahfouz, Samia Al Amoudi, Zuhoor K AL-Gaithy

Published in: Diagnostic Pathology | Issue 1/2014

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Abstract

Background

Metaplastic breast carcinoma is a rare entity of breast cancer expressing epithelial and/or mesenchymal tissue within the same tumor. The aim of this study is to evaluate the clinicopathological features of metaplastic breast carcinoma and to confirm the triple negative, basal-like and/or luminal phenotype of this type of tumor by using immunohistochemical staining.

Methods

Seven cases of MBC were evaluated for clinico-pathological features including follow up data. Cases were studied immunohistochemically by CK-Pan, Vimentin, ER, PR, HER2, basal markers (CK5/6, p63, EGFR, SMA and S-100), luminal cytokeratins (CK8, CK18 and CK19), markers for syncytial cells (β-HCG and PLAP), as well as prognostic markers (p53, ki-67 and calretinin).

Results

The mean age of the patients was 36 years. Three cases showed choriocarcinomatous features. All of our cases were negative for ER, PR and HER2. Six out of the 7 cases showed basal-like differentiation by demonstrating positivity with at least one of the basal/myoepithelial markers. Also 6 out of the 7 cases expressed luminal type cytokeratins (CK8, CK18 and/or CK19). P53 was positive in 3 cases, ki-67 was strongly expressed in only one case, while calretinin was expressed in 6 cases.

Conclusion

Metaplastic breast carcinoma presents in our population at a younger age group than other international studies. All cases are categorized immunohistochemically under the triple negative group of breast cancer and 86% of them exhibited basal-like and luminal phenotype. Majority of cases developed local recurrence and distant metastasis in a relatively short period of time.

Virtual Slides

The virtual slide(s) for this article can be found here: http://​www.​diagnosticpathol​ogy.​diagnomx.​eu/​vs/​1101289295115804​
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Metadata
Title
Metaplastic carcinoma of the breast: an immunohistochemical study
Authors
Fadwa J Altaf
Ghadeer A Mokhtar
Eman Emam
Rana Y Bokhary
Najlaa Bin Mahfouz
Samia Al Amoudi
Zuhoor K AL-Gaithy
Publication date
01-12-2014
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
Diagnostic Pathology / Issue 1/2014
Electronic ISSN: 1746-1596
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/1746-1596-9-139

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