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Journal of Medical Case Reports

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Open Access 01-12-2017 | Case report

Primary small cell carcinoma of the breast: a case report

Authors: Iman Abou Dalle, Jaber Abbas, Fouad Boulos, Ziad Salem, Hazem I. Assi

Published in: Journal of Medical Case Reports | Issue 1/2017

Abstract

Background

Neuroendocrine breast cancer is a rare entity that was defined in 2003 by the World Health Organization as a separate breast cancer subtype. The diagnosis of neuroendocrine breast cancer requires the presence of neuroendocrine features in at least 50% of malignant cells, the exclusion of non-mammary primary tumors, as well as the presence of an in situ component in breast histology. The treatment and prognosis of neuroendocrine breast cancer are still not well established. Small cell carcinoma of the breast is a subtype of neuroendocrine cancer, resembling small cell carcinoma of the lung. It has a very poor prognosis and warrants treatment with platinum-based chemotherapy.

Case presentation

We herein report the case of a 47-year-old white woman with a left breast mass that was found to be an early-stage, high-grade small cell carcinoma of the breast. Positron emission tomography-computed tomography imaging excluded any other primary disease. Our patient underwent a left total mastectomy with sentinel lymph node biopsy and received cisplatin-based adjuvant chemotherapy. Our patient remains free of disease to date.

Conclusions

This case report sheds light on a rarely described disease and provides a comprehensive approach to diagnosis and management. Neuroendocrine carcinoma of the breast is a well-defined histologic subtype of breast cancer. Small cell carcinoma of the breast is a rare subtype of neuroendocrine breast cancer. Due to the rarity of this entity, prognosis has still not been well established, and treatment has not been standardized, cisplatin-based treatment has been used in this case similar to small cell carcinoma of the lung.

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Title: Primary small cell carcinoma of the breast: a case report
Authors: Iman Abou Dalle
Jaber Abbas
Fouad Boulos
Ziad Salem
Hazem I. Assi
Publication date: 01-12-2017
Publisher: BioMed Central
Published in: Journal of Medical Case Reports / Issue 1/2017
Electronic ISSN: 1752-1947
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s13256-017-1467-0

At a glance: The ONWARDS insulin icodec trials

Springer Medicine

Primary small cell carcinoma of the breast: a case report

Abstract

Background

Case presentation

Conclusions

At a glance: The ONWARDS insulin icodec trials

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Background

Case presentation

Conclusions

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