Management of Unusual Histological Types of Breast Cancer

Abstract

There is increased understanding of the heterogeneity of breast tumors, with greater emphasis now being placed on histological and molecular profiles and, in particular, their implications for prognosis and therapy. This review addresses breast cancers of unusual histological subtype with an approximate incidence <1%. Given the rarity of these tumors, the literature contains primarily case reports, small series, and population-based studies. Data are heterogeneous and almost entirely retrospective, frequently gathered over long time periods, in the context of changing pathological techniques and reporting. In addition, our understanding of the disease biology and therapeutic context has also evolved significantly over this time. There is often limited information about the specific therapies used and the rationale for choosing such an approach. Meaningful comparisons of treatment modalities are not feasible and it is not possible to define management guidelines. Instead, this review correlates the available information to give an impression of how each subgroup behaves-of the favored surgical technique, responses to therapy, and prognosis-as well as the emerging molecular data, highlighting new research areas for potential target in clinical trials. Each tumor subtype described represents a small but real cohort of patients with breast cancer, and although inferences may be made from this review, we are mindful of the paucity of data. The management of each patient must be considered in the context of their unique clinical presentation and correlated with the evidence-based principles that apply to more common breast cancer histologies. The Oncologist 2012;17:1135-1145

Downregulation of Ras GTPase-activating protein 1 is associated with poor survival of breast invasive ductal carcinoma patients

“…A previous study demonstrated that triple-negative breast cancer was associated with a higher expression of Ki-67 (21). Future studies are needed to confirm our current finding and to investigate whether targeting RASA1 is a novel therapeutic strategy for controlling triple-negative breast cancer.…”

“…Thus, development of novel strategies for the treatment and prognostic prediction of breast cancer, especially triple-negative breast cancer, may aid in the reduction of breast cancer mortality. For example, identification of genes in breast cancer may be used as novel adjuvant diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers to improve treatment decisions in combination with these parameters (21).…”

How do libraries manage the ethical and privacy issues of RFID implementation? A qualitative investigation into the decision-making processes of ten libraries

“…Tracking involves following consumers' movements through detection of an RFID tag in their possession, while profiling is the compilation of a composite picture of consumers from a variety of sources. Public awareness of potential privacy breaches has been raised by well-publicised cases involving companies such as Benetton, Gillette, Prada and Proctor & Gamble (Cadoo & Cadoo, 2004;Cavoukian, 2004;Lockton & Rosenberg, 2005). Such breaches can have significant financial, reputational and legal implications as consumers highlight their concerns through social media sites and government bodies appear more willing to take action.…”

Intracyctic Papillary Carcinoma of the Breast: Report of a Rare Case and Literature Review

“…For a long time, encysted papillary breast carcinomas were classified as a variant of ductal carcinoma in situ but recent studies are debating the possibility of an invasive component (13,14). Some studies have demonstrated the lack of myoepithelial cell markers at the periphery and also existence of tumor foci beyond the fibrous capsule of the cysts as evidences of invasion (14,15). Even metastatic disease can occur and the most common site is lymph node (16,17).…”