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Pathologica Mar 2020The World Health Organization's new classification of breast tumors has just been published. This review aims to examine the morphological categorization of breast... (Review)
Review
The World Health Organization's new classification of breast tumors has just been published. This review aims to examine the morphological categorization of breast carcinomas which is still principally based on histological features and follows the traditions of histological typing. It gives a subjective and critical view on the WHO classifications and their changes over time, and describes the changes related to some of the most common or challenging breast carcinomas: in situ carcinomas, invasive breast carcinomas of no special type, lobular, cribriform, tubular, mucinous, papillary, metaplastic carcinomas and carcinomas with medullary pattern and those with apocrine differentiation are discussed in more details. Although the 5 edition of the classification is not perfect, it has advantages which are mentioned along with problematic issues of classifications.
Topics: Breast Neoplasms; Humans; Neoplasm Grading; Time Factors; World Health Organization
PubMed: 32202537
DOI: 10.32074/1591-951X-1-20 -
Modern Pathology : An Official Journal... Jan 2021Immunohistochemistry is an essential component of diagnostic breast pathology. The emergence of novel assays and applications is accompanied by new interpretation... (Review)
Review
Immunohistochemistry is an essential component of diagnostic breast pathology. The emergence of novel assays and applications is accompanied by new interpretation criteria and potential pitfalls. Immunohistochemistry assists in supporting breast origin for primary or metastatic carcinomas and identifying non-mammary metastases to the breast; however, no single immunostain is perfectly sensitive nor specific. GATA3 and Sox10 are particularly useful immunostains to identify triple negative breast carcinoma, which are often negative for other markers of mammary differentiation. Sox10 labeling is a major potential diagnostic pitfall, as Sox10 and S-100 label both triple negative breast carcinoma and metastatic melanoma; a pan-cytokeratin immunostain should always be included for this differential diagnosis. Novel immunohistochemistry serves as surrogates for the molecular alterations unique to several of special-type breast carcinomas, including the use of MYB in adenoid cystic carcinoma, pan-TRK in secretory carcinoma, and mutant IDH2 in tall cell carcinoma with reversed polarity (TCCRP). In addition, PD-L1 immunohistochemistry is an emerging, albeit imperfect, biomarker for breast cancer immunotherapy, with different assay parameters and scoring criteria in breast carcinoma compared to other tumor types. The expanding repertoire of novel immunohistochemistry provides additional diagnostic tools and biomarkers that improve diagnostic breast pathology and patient care.
Topics: B7-H1 Antigen; Biomarkers, Tumor; Breast; Breast Neoplasms; Carcinoma; Carcinoma, Adenoid Cystic; Carcinoma, Ductal, Breast; Diagnosis, Differential; Female; GATA3 Transcription Factor; Humans; Immunohistochemistry; SOXE Transcription Factors; Triple Negative Breast Neoplasms
PubMed: 33110239
DOI: 10.1038/s41379-020-00697-3 -
Acta Clinica Croatica Sep 2018- A young woman with breast cancer is considered to be a woman younger than 40. According to the literature, breast cancer in the population of young women usually is of...
- A young woman with breast cancer is considered to be a woman younger than 40. According to the literature, breast cancer in the population of young women usually is of a higher histologic grade, unfavorable hormonal status, and overall higher mortality rate when compared with breast cancer occurring in older population. We compared pathologic and immunohistochemical features of breast carcinoma in women under 40 years of age with the respective features in women over 60 years of age. The following parameters were observed in these two groups: tumor size, lymph node status, histologic grade, hormonal receptor status, Ki-67 prognostic index, Her2/neu status, and histologic type of the tumor. Early onset breast carcinoma was found to have a higher frequency of tumor grade 3 (29% . 17%) and estrogen receptor negativity (45% . 23%). In the group of young women, breast carcinoma was mostly multicentric (23% . 5%), triple-negative (32% . 10%), and was found to have higher proliferation index Ki-67 (25% . 10%). Our results confirmed differences between the young and older groups of patients. In the group of young women, we found predominantly unfavorable prognostic parameters of the disease.
Topics: Adult; Age Factors; Breast Neoplasms; Female; Humans; Immunohistochemistry; Lymphatic Metastasis; Middle Aged; Neoplasm Grading; Neoplasm Staging; Prognosis; Receptors, Estrogen
PubMed: 31168183
DOI: 10.20471/acc.2018.57.03.13 -
Polish Journal of Pathology : Official... 2018Nasopharyngeal lymphoepithelioma is an undifferentiated carcinoma in a dominated lymphoplasma-histiocyte stroma. Lymphoepithelioma-like carcinoma of the breast is the... (Review)
Review
Nasopharyngeal lymphoepithelioma is an undifferentiated carcinoma in a dominated lymphoplasma-histiocyte stroma. Lymphoepithelioma-like carcinoma of the breast is the mammary counterpart of the lymphoepithelioma of the nasopharynx and is characterised by proliferation of poorly differentiated malignant cells within a prominent lymphoid infiltrate. It is a very rare primary carcinoma of the breast first reported in 1994 by Kumar and Kumar. Fewer than 40 cases have been reported in the English literature. In this manuscript a case of lymphoepithelioma-like carcinoma of the breast in a 57-year-old patient is reported along with a literature review on this rare entity.
Topics: Biomarkers, Tumor; Biopsy; Breast Neoplasms; Carcinoma; Cell Differentiation; Cell Proliferation; Female; Humans; Immunohistochemistry; Lymphocytes; Middle Aged
PubMed: 29895134
DOI: 10.5114/pjp.2018.75344 -
Archives of Pathology & Laboratory... Nov 2017Primary neuroendocrine tumors of the breast are a rare and underrecognized subtype of mammary carcinoma. Neuroendocrine tumors of the breast occur predominately in... (Review)
Review
Primary neuroendocrine tumors of the breast are a rare and underrecognized subtype of mammary carcinoma. Neuroendocrine tumors of the breast occur predominately in postmenopausal women. The tumors are subclassified into well-differentiated and poorly differentiated neuroendocrine tumors, and invasive breast carcinoma with neuroendocrine features. Well-differentiated tumors show architectural similarity to carcinoids of other sites but lack characteristic neuroendocrine nuclei. Poorly differentiated neuroendocrine tumors are morphologically identical to small cell carcinoma of the lung. Neuroendocrine differentiation, seen in up to 30% of invasive breast carcinomas, is most commonly associated with mucinous and solid papillary carcinomas. The diagnosis of neuroendocrine differentiation requires expression of the neuroendocrine markers synaptophysin or chromogranin. The main differential diagnosis is a metastatic neuroendocrine tumor from an extramammary site. Neuroendocrine tumors of the breast are treated similarly to other invasive breast carcinomas. Although no consensus has been reached on the prognosis, most studies suggest a poor outcome.
Topics: Biomarkers, Tumor; Breast Neoplasms; Breast Neoplasms, Male; Carcinoma, Neuroendocrine; Cell Differentiation; Chromogranin A; Diagnosis, Differential; Female; Humans; Male; Neoplasm Grading; Neoplasm Staging; Prognosis; Synaptophysin
PubMed: 29072945
DOI: 10.5858/arpa.2016-0364-RS -
Archives of Pathology & Laboratory... Jan 2020Microglandular adenosis is a rare borderline neoplastic lesion of the breast composed of haphazardly located small, round tubules with a single cell layer interspersed... (Review)
Review
CONTEXT.—
Microglandular adenosis is a rare borderline neoplastic lesion of the breast composed of haphazardly located small, round tubules with a single cell layer interspersed within breast stroma and/or adipose tissue. Microglandular adenosis is devoid of a myoepithelial cell layer, and has a characteristic immunophenotype, being positive for S100 and negative for estrogen receptor, progesterone receptor, and HER2/. When associated with cancer, microglandular adenosis and associated invasive carcinoma share the same molecular alterations, including mutation; therefore, microglandular adenosis is considered a nonobligate precursor of triple (HER2/, estrogen and progesterone receptors)-negative breast carcinoma. Microglandular adenosis is an important diagnostic pitfall as it can be easily mistaken for a low-grade invasive carcinoma.
OBJECTIVE.—
To provide a review of the clinicopathologic features of microglandular adenosis and associated invasive carcinoma, with emphasis on key features separating entities in the differential diagnosis.
DATA SOURCES.—
Review of current literature on microglandular adenosis and associated invasive carcinoma and personal experience of authors.
CONCLUSIONS.—
Microglandular adenosis can mimic breast carcinoma; attention to key features, including morphologic-immunophenotypic correlation, is essential in establishing the diagnosis.
Topics: Breast Neoplasms; Female; Fibrocystic Breast Disease; Humans; Precancerous Conditions; Triple Negative Breast Neoplasms
PubMed: 31116044
DOI: 10.5858/arpa.2019-0049-RA -
Modern Pathology : An Official Journal... Jan 2021Lobular neoplasia (LN) is an atypical proliferation of small, dyscohesive epithelial cells within the terminal duct lobular unit (TDLU), with or without pagetoid... (Review)
Review
Lobular neoplasia (LN) is an atypical proliferation of small, dyscohesive epithelial cells within the terminal duct lobular unit (TDLU), with or without pagetoid extension and encompasses both lobular carcinoma in situ (LCIS) and atypical lobular hyperplasia (ALH). LN is a non-obligate precursor of invasive breast carcinoma and the diagnosis of LN confers an increased risk of invasive carcinoma development, compared to the general population. Diagnostic challenges arise in the accurate classification of LCIS into classic, pleomorphic and florid subtypes, in distinguishing between LCIS and ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) and in the appropriate use and interpretation of E-cadherin immunohistochemistry. Due to the paucity of robust data on the natural history of LCIS, and hence its clinical significance, the management is often pragmatic rather than entirely evidence-based and requires a multidisciplinary approach. In this review, we discuss the clinicopathologic and molecular features of LCIS and address the key challenges that arise in the diagnosis and management of LCIS.
Topics: Biopsy, Large-Core Needle; Breast Carcinoma In Situ; Breast Neoplasms; Cadherins; Carcinoma, Intraductal, Noninfiltrating; Diagnosis, Differential; Female; Humans; Immunohistochemistry; Mammary Glands, Human; Precancerous Conditions
PubMed: 33024303
DOI: 10.1038/s41379-020-00689-3 -
Medical Oncology (Northwood, London,... Jul 2020Breast carcinoma with neuroendocrine differentiation, also known as neuroendocrine breast carcinoma (NEBC), includes a heterogeneous group of rare tumors, which account... (Review)
Review
Breast carcinoma with neuroendocrine differentiation, also known as neuroendocrine breast carcinoma (NEBC), includes a heterogeneous group of rare tumors, which account for 2-5% of all invasive breast carcinomas. Because of their low incidence, most of the current limited knowledge of these tumors derives from anecdotal case reports or small retrospective series. The diagnosis of NEBC is based on the presence of morphological features similar to gastrointestinal and lung NETs and neuroendocrine markers. NEBCs are usually hormone receptors positive and HER2 negative, but despite this luminal phenotype, most recent studies suggested that NEBC could be associated with worse prognosis compared to invasive breast cancer without neuroendocrine differentiation. Due to its rarity and lack of randomized data, there is little evidence to guide the choice of treatment, so NEBC is currently treated as any invasive breast carcinoma not-otherwise specified. Recently, attempts to molecularly characterize NEBC have been made, in order to provide new targets for a more personalized treatment of this uncommon entity.
Topics: Breast Neoplasms; Carcinoma, Neuroendocrine; Female; Humans; Neoplasm Grading; Rare Diseases; Receptors, Estrogen
PubMed: 32712767
DOI: 10.1007/s12032-020-01396-4 -
In Vivo (Athens, Greece) 2022Breast cancer (BC) is among the most widespread malignant tumors in women. In the current study, we evaluated the role of miR-31 in BC patients and its relation to the...
BACKGROUND/AIM
Breast cancer (BC) is among the most widespread malignant tumors in women. In the current study, we evaluated the role of miR-31 in BC patients and its relation to the different prognostic, clinical, and pathological features.
PATIENTS AND METHODS
MiR-31 levels were determined by RT-PCR in BC and adjacent normal breast tissues from 100 BC patients. BC diagnosis was established through histopathological examinations. The expression of estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR), and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) receptor in all tumors was determined using immunohistochemistry.
RESULTS
MiR-31 expression was reduced in BC tissues relative to adjacent healthy breast tissue (mean levels were 0.93 and 7.2, respectively). Also, the low expression of miR-31 in BC patients was significantly correlated with adverse clinical and pathological features such as: young patient's age, premenopausal status, infiltrative lobular carcinoma, ER and PR negative tumors, HER2 positive tumors, and advanced clinical stage.
CONCLUSION
MiR-31 was expressed at low levels in BC tissues and correlated with adverse clinical and pathological features, and poor survival.
Topics: Breast Neoplasms; Female; Humans; Immunohistochemistry; MicroRNAs; Prognosis; Receptors, Estrogen
PubMed: 35478111
DOI: 10.21873/invivo.12857 -
Archives of Pathology & Laboratory... Jan 2014Despite advances in breast cancer management, women continue to relapse and die of breast cancer. Traditionally, evaluation for hormone receptors (estrogen and... (Review)
Review
CONTEXT
Despite advances in breast cancer management, women continue to relapse and die of breast cancer. Traditionally, evaluation for hormone receptors (estrogen and progesterone), as well as HER2 overexpression, have guided therapy-related decision-making because they are both prognostic and predictive indicators. However, there are limitations with those studies, which can lead to improper treatment. Gene signatures have recently been shown to be of value in identifying molecular portraits of breast carcinoma and are beginning to play role in management and treatment algorithms.
OBJECTIVE
To provide a summary of the prognostic and predictive indicators of breast cancer, such as hormone receptors, HER2, and molecular gene signatures that currently help guide clinical decision making.
DATA SOURCES
Published articles from peer-reviewed journals in PubMed (US National Library of Medicine).
CONCLUSIONS
Emerging evidence shows promise that, in addition to hormone receptors and HER2 studies, evaluating tumors with gene expression profiling can provide additional prognostic and predictive information, further aiding clinical management and leading to a more personalized approach to treating breast cancer.
Topics: Biomarkers, Tumor; Breast Neoplasms; Female; Gene Expression Profiling; Humans
PubMed: 24377811
DOI: 10.5858/arpa.2012-0442-RA