Adenomyoepithelioma of the breast: a case report and a review of the literature

Abstract

A 74-year-old woman complained of a small nodule in the outer lower quadrant of her left breast. On physical examination, a 0.9 x 0.8 cm, round-shaped and firmly elastic nodule was palpated. Excisional biopsy was performed. Histologically, the tumor was separated into, with a bicellular pattern, containing both numerous glandular structures and numerous spindle-shaped cells. Immunohistochemical staining for EMA and cytokeratin showed strongly positive immunoreactivity for epithelial cells. Staining for &aipha;-SMA showed strongly positive immunoreactivity for myoepithelial components. Staining for keratin and S-100 protein showed weakly positive immunoreactivity for myoepithelial cells. Microscopically, the tumor was diagnosed as adenomyoepithelioma of the breast. Immunohistochemical examination is needed to distinguish epithelial cell proliferation from myoepithelial cell proliferation. Immunohistochemical examination using antibodies against EMA, alpha-SMA, Keratin, cytokeratin and S-100 protein, is indispensable.

Adenomyoepithelial Tumors of the Breast: Imaging Findings With Histopathologic Correlation

“…A review of the four adenomyoepithelial tumors seen at our institution and a review of the imaging literature show that the predominant mammographic abnormality is an irregular noncalcified mass with microlobulated margins [1,3,5,7] (Figs. 3A and 4A).…”

“…Adjuvant chemotherapy may be administered if carcinoma or sarcoma is present, but radiation therapy does not appear to be beneficial [2]. A denomyoepithelial tumors of the breast are extremely rare neoplasms; approximately 150 cases have been described in the medical literature [1,2]. In a normal breast, the acini and ductal network are lined by an inner epithelial layer and an outer layer of myoepithelial cells (Fig.…”

“…They have been described in patients 26-81 years old, and the incidence increases with age [1]. The tumor may be detected clinically as a centrally located nontender palpable breast mass or as an incidental finding at screening mammography [7].…”