Mucoepidermoid carcinoma of the breast

Abstract

Five cases of mucoepidermoid carcinoma (MEC) of the breast are reported. All patients were women ranging in age from 29 years to 80 years. As histological grading is one of the most important prognostic factors in breast invasive carcinomas, MEC was graded using the Auclair et al. [1] grading system specific for MEC of salivary glands and the Elston and Ellis [4] grading method, a widely employed grading system in breast cancer. It was found that the two different grading systems appear to be interchangeable in assessing the grade of MEC of the breast. Accordingly, three cases were regarded low grade (G. 1), one intermediate (G. 2) and one high grade (G. 3). The cases were studied with immunohistochemistry and were found to have the same keratin pattern shown by their salivary gland counterpart. It was found that there are more similarities than differences between MEC of the breast and of salivary glands.

The MECT1-MAML2 Gene Fusion and Benign Warthin's Tumor

“…Thus, we have identified the fusion in two apparently unrelated benign tumor types: Warthin's tumor (WAT) and clear cell hidradenoma of the skin. 2,5 In this respect, MECT1-MAML2 is reminiscent of the ETV6-NTRK3 fusion that has been encountered in tumors originating from multiple cell lineages. 6 We read with interest the study by Martins et al 7 in The Journal of Molecular Diagnostics in which they studied the MECT1-MAML2 fusion in 10 MECs and 7 WATs using fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) and/or reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction.…”

“…[2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9] Although the majority of these cases of MEC-like tumors have not yet been tested for the presence of MECT1-MAML2 gene expression, it is quite remarkable that identical MECT1-MAML2-positive cases have already been reported in tumors arising from parotid, submaxillary, oral, and many different thoracic sites within the bronchopulmonary tree. 10 -12 In addition, we and others have noted the histological similarities between salivary MEC and certain cutaneous MEC-like tumors, which can include some cases of clear cell hidradenomas or eccrine acrospiroma.…”

Primary mucoepidermoid carcinoma of the breast: a with immunohistochemical analysis and comparison with salivary gland mucoepidermoid carcinomas

“…Reports about in situ components found in these tumors are contradictory [2,7,8]. In mucoepidermoid carcinomas of the breast, the Elston and Ellis [9] histologic classification, which is widely used to classify invasive breast carcinomas, correlates with the Ellis and Auclair [10] classification used for salivary gland mucoepidermoid carcinomas [12].…”

Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology of High Grade Mucoepidermoid Carcinoma of the Breast

“…Only 24 cases have been reported to occur in the breast; of them, just one was diagnosed by fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC). [10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23] The first case was reported by Patchefsky et al in 1979. 21 Since then, a few more cases have been described as case reports or small series, such as the recent one by Di Tommaso.…”

“…21 Since then, a few more cases have been described as case reports or small series, such as the recent one by Di Tommaso. 12 MCE of the breast is a very rare tumor, accounting for 0.2-0.3% of breast cancers. 24,25 Nevertheless, Fisher 15 suggested a higher incidence based on the lack of specific criteria that may lead to a misdiagnosis of squamous metaplasia in a background of ductal carcinoma, in particular when dealing with FNAC.…”