Apocrine Carcinoma of Breast: A Case Report with Review of the Literature

Abstract

Apocrine carcinoma is a very rare form of breast malignancy with an incidence of <1% of female invasive breast carcinoma. We report a case of apocrine carcinoma in a 42-year female with marked adenosis showing apocrine metaplasia and discuss the criteria to diagnose apocrine carcinoma with the emerging concept of androgen receptor positivity with its implication on treatment and management of the patient.

A Study on Diversity of Malignant Breast Lesions in Urban Population of Bengal – Two Year Experience in A Tertiary Care Centre

“…These cells demonstrate GCDFP-15 positivity. [3,13] Our case diagnosed as apocrine carcinoma was in a 50 year old woman. The tumor was T 3 N 1 M x , BR grade 2.…”

Apocrine carcinoma of breast: A rare entity posing cytological challenge

“…Japaze et al in 2005, proposed criteria for diagnosis of AC including following salient features: (1) Apocrine features constituting about 75%, (2) Cells are large with eosinophilic granular cytoplasm; (3) N:C ratio of 1:2 or more; (4) Nucleus is large, round, vesicular, and may be pleomorphic; (5) Sharp defined borders . However, little has been written on the appearance of intranuclear vacuoles on the FNA cytology like present in our case.…”

“…Presently, very little is known about the molecular mechanisms underlying apocrine metaplasia . Malignant transformation of apocrine epithelium was first described by Krompecher in 1916 …”

“…Recently many authors are interested in hormonal expression of these tumors as they have a unique response to androgen administration . The prognosis of these tumors is considered more favorable than that of nonapocrine ductal carcinoma .…”

“…Due to rarity of these tumors, definite conclusion is not possible . Therefore, it is important to diagnose these tumors as a separate entity as they have different clinical behavior and management protocol …”