Title | E-cadherin-negative primary small cell carcinoma of the breast. Report of a case and review of the literature. |
Publication Type | Journal Article |
Year of Publication | 2004 |
Authors | Bergman S, Hoda SA, Geisinger KR, Creager AJ, Trupiano JK |
Journal | Am J Clin Pathol |
Volume | 121 |
Issue | 1 |
Pagination | 117-21 |
Date Published | 2004 Jan |
ISSN | 0002-9173 |
Keywords | Biomarkers, Tumor, Breast Neoplasms, Cadherins, Carcinoma in Situ, Carcinoma, Intraductal, Noninfiltrating, Carcinoma, Small Cell, Female, Humans, Immunohistochemistry, Keratins, Lymph Node Excision, Middle Aged, Phosphopyruvate Hydratase, Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2, Treatment Outcome |
Abstract | Primary small cell carcinoma of the breast is exceedingly rare, with fewer than 25 reported cases. The case presented herein is that of a 61-year-old woman with a 2.5-cm mass of the left breast. She underwent mastectomy with axillary node dissection. Histologic examination revealed sheets and nests of small, hyperchromatic, malignant cells with indistinct nucleoli and scant cytoplasm. High-grade solid and comedo ductal carcinoma in situ also was present. Two of 5 axillary lymph nodes contained metastatic disease. Immunohistochemical analysis demonstrated weak immunoreactivity for cytokeratin, neuron-specific enolase, and bcl-2. This histologic and immunohistochemical profile was consistent with that of a primary small cell carcinoma. Interestingly, this neoplasm lacked immunoreactivity for E-cadherin. E-cadherin expression has been documented in all 11 (100%) of 11 previously reported cases of primary small cell carcinoma of the breast, suggesting that this tumor is a form of ductal carcinoma. To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of E-cadherin-negative small cell carcinoma of the breast, which raises the question of a possible lobular histogenesis in some of these neoplasms. |
DOI | 10.1309/737Y-07JN-P8GQ-QJJY |
Alternate Journal | Am J Clin Pathol |
PubMed ID | 14750249 |
Related Faculty:
Syed Hoda, M.D.