Metaplastic Carcinoma of the Breast

Abstract

Metaplastic carcinoma of the breast is a rare but aggressive type of breast cancer that has been recognized as a unique pathologic entity by the World Health Organization. Morphologically, it is characterized by the differentiation of neoplastic epithelium into squamous cells and/or mesenchymal-looking elements (squamous cells, spindle cells, cartilage or bone, etc). It shares many similarities with invasive ductal carcinoma and benign lesions on mammography, which further complicates the diagnosis. Treatment for metaplastic breast carcinoma is relatively unknown because of the rarity of the disease, but studies suggest that removal of the tumor and adjuvant radiation therapy has the greatest benefit.

A murine preclinical syngeneic transplantation model for breast cancer precision medicine

“…Cells isolated from these tumors readily proliferated in low-serum medium, grew in a disorganized fashion, and had spindle-shaped morphology typical of mesenchymal differentiation. One MDST model was classified as an epithelial-mesenchymal mixed carcinosarcoma, a type of metaplastic cancer rather uncommon in patients ( 31 ) likely originating from transdifferentiation processes taking place in mammary glands. Although uncommon, the very poor outcome associated with sarcomas and metaplastic tumors renders these potentially important models.…”

TiHo-0906: a new feline mammary cancer cell line with molecular, morphological, and immunocytological characteristics of epithelial to mesenchymal transition

“…Histologically, hMBCs display epithelial differentiation towards mesenchymal elements (chondroid, osseous, rhabdoid, and spindle) 5 . Around 80% of hMBCs are spindle-cell tumours frequently enriched in EMT features 6–8 . EMT is an embryonic process reactivated in adult tissues during cicatrization, fibrosis, and cancer 9 .…”

Synchronous metaplastic breast carcinoma and lung adenocarcinoma: a rare case and review of the literature

“…According to epidemiologists from the American Cancer Society, 279 100 new cases of breast cancer will occur in 2020 in USA 1. MBC is rare, accounting for 0.25%–1% of breast cancers diagnosed annually, or approximately 700–2790 new cases 3. Metaplastic breast cancer is classified as a distinct pathologic entity by the WHO and characterised by mixed epithelial and sarcomatoid histology 4.…”