A rare presentation of triple-negative apocrine breast carcinoma with metastases

Abstract

Apocrine breast carcinoma is a rare subtype of the invasive ductal carcinoma and accounts for as little as 0.3–1% of all breast cancers. It is usually positive for human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER-2) and negative for both estrogen receptor and progesterone receptor. Here we present an exceptionally rare case of apocrine breast carcinoma that is a triple receptor negative with metastases and to our knowledge this is the first published case. This is a significant finding because it implies that the tumor would not respond to the typical hormonal agents. This case highlights the need for studies to elucidate better treatment strategies for these types of patients.

A Rare Case of Invasive Apocrine Carcinoma of the Breast with Unusual Radiologic Findings

“…IAC is thought to have similar clinical, macroscopic and histological features as IDC of NOS (1, 3, 4). Both diseases have a greater likelihood in women over 40 (10). In general, hormonal factors such as nulliparity, first child after 30, early menarche, and late menopause increase the risk of breast cancer (1, 10).…”

“…Both diseases have a greater likelihood in women over 40 (10). In general, hormonal factors such as nulliparity, first child after 30, early menarche, and late menopause increase the risk of breast cancer (1, 10). Continuous stimulation of sex hormones such as androgen seems to be related to the development of apocrine metaplasia in the breast (1).…”

“…Continuous stimulation of sex hormones such as androgen seems to be related to the development of apocrine metaplasia in the breast (1). Physical examination varies from asymptomatic to the presence of a palpable mass with or without bloody nipple discharge (6, 10). The death rate of recurrent breast cancer occurs in 5 to 8% of the cases, which is similar to IDC (10).…”

GATA3 expression in morphologic subtypes of breast carcinoma: a comparison with gross cystic disease fluid protein 15 and mammaglobin

“…Its characteristic receptor profile includes the absence of ERa and progesterone receptor protein, the presence of androgen receptor protein, and reactivity for either Human Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor-2 (HER2/neu) or epidermal growth factor receptor; as such, patients with this subtype of breast carcinoma may be eligible for targeted therapies [24,25]. All apocrine carcinomas included in our study lacked ERa, and it was therefore surprising that all but one also expressed GATA3.…”

Apocrine carcinoma of breast: A rare entity posing cytological challenge

“…It clinically simulates usual ductal carcinoma . The presentation varies from asymptomatic to the presence of a hard unilateral breast lump with irregular borders with or without skin or nipple retraction . It predominantly affects females in their 60 and 70 s .…”