Breast lesions with myoepithelial phenotype

Abstract

Myoepithelial cells (MECs) constitute a continuous layer of cells surrounding the breast glands, localised between the epithelial cells (ECs) and the basal membrane. MECs play important roles in normal mammary gland as they produce basal membrane and stimulate secretion. During neoplastic transformation, MECs act as a barrier preventing stromal invasion. MECs themselves can undergo a great variety of changes, ranging from hyperplastic to metaplastic, to neoplastic, and giving rise to a wide spectrum of morphological pictures sometimes difficult to interpret on routine diagnoses. Several benign and malignant breast tumours can present features of MECs differentiation. As these latter tumours are quite infrequent, the purpose of the present study is to offer a review of the morphological spectrum of MECs lesions, with correlations to prognosis.

Annual Review Issue: Breast Pathology

“…Breast tumours with myoepithelial phenotype typically show triple negativity but they exhibit better prognosis and clinical behaviour than other TNBC. Professor Maria Pia Foschini and her colleagues 8 provide a comprehensive overview of breast lesions with myoepithelial phenotype, addressing physiological and pathological changes in the myoepithelial cells. The morphological spectrum, with correlations to prognosis, of benign and malignant breast tumours with myoepithelial differentiation are discussed.…”