Metaplastic carcinoma of the breast with neuroglial differentiation

Breast. 2006 Aug;15(4):545-9. doi: 10.1016/j.breast.2005.09.003. Epub 2005 Oct 25.

Abstract

We present a case of a 34-year-old female who had a rapidly enlarging right breast mass. Biopsy results were consistent with a neuroblastic neoplasm of the breast. Neoadjuvant chemotherapy for a neuroblastoma was performed followed by a modified radical mastectomy was performed. Final pathology revealed small foci of poorly differentiated carcinoma randomly distributed within extensive areas of neuroglial differentiation. Such a lesion has not been described in the current literature to our knowledge, and we propose that this neoplasm is a metaplastic carcinoma with a novel heterogeneous differentiation. Subsequent therapy consisted of standard adjuvant breast cancer chemotherapy and radiation therapy.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Breast Neoplasms / drug therapy
  • Breast Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Breast Neoplasms / radiotherapy
  • Cell Differentiation
  • Chemotherapy, Adjuvant
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Neoplasm Invasiveness
  • Neuroglia / pathology*
  • Radiotherapy, Adjuvant