Poorer Prognosis of Primary Signet-Ring Cell Carcinoma of the Breast Compared with Mucinous Carcinoma

Abstract

Primary signet-ring cell carcinoma (PSRCC) of the breast is a rare entity and classified under mucin producing tumors in the WHO classification. However, little is known about the clinicopathological characteristics and clinical outcomes of PSRCC as opposed to mucinous carcinoma. Eleven patients with PSRCC in our center from 1995 to 2010 were evaluated in this study, as compared to 50 cases of mucinous breast cancer (MBC) during the same period. The clinicopathologic features of PSRCC compared to MBC were assessed. Furthermore, overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) were calculated at 5 years of follow up. Patients with PSRCC showed more frequent lymphatic metastasis, higher Ki67 labeling index and more advanced stage disease than that of MBC (P = 0.018, p = 0.023, P = 0.000, respectively), although there was no difference in age, tumor size, and ER, PR expression between PSRCC and MBC. In addition, PSRCC was associated with simultaneous vimentin upregulation and E-cadherin downregulation. The 5-year OS of PSRCC (54.5%) was significantly lower than that of MBC (88%) (P = 0.004). Similarly, the DFS of PSRCC was poorer than that of MBC significantly (5-year DFS: 27.3% vs. 80%, P = 0.000).ConclusionsOur results confirmed the more aggressive behavior of PSRCC compared to MBC. This tumor is frequently associated with more frequent lymphatic metastasis, higher Ki67 labeling index, more advanced stage disease as well as simultaneous vimentin upregulation and E-cadherin downregulation. Different management guidelines should be considered for the two types.

Preoperative radiotherapy improves survival in rectal signet-ring cell carcinoma-a population-based study

“…Signet-ring cell carcinoma (SRCC) is a rare variant of adenocarcinoma, found in approximately 1% of all CRC patients and presents with abundant intracellular mucin in more than 50% of tumor cells, rendering their signet-ring appearance [ 3 – 6 ]. SRCC histology is considered an adverse risk factor in esophageal, stomach, and breast cancer [ 7 – 9 ]. Due to its rarity SRCC has been investigated in a limited number of studies with small samples of patients.…”

Memeni̇n Taşli Yüzük Hücreli̇ Karsi̇nomu

“…Merino ve arkadaşları 24 hastalık taşlı yüzük hücreli meme kanseri serisinde yedi yıl içinde %60'ının öldüğünü bildirmişlerdir (3). Patolojik açıdan müsinöz meme kanseri ile taşlı yüzük hücreli meme kanseri arasında ayrım yapılması önemlidir, zira müsinöz karsinom çok daha iyi bir klinik gidişat sergilerken, taşlı yüzük hücreli karsinom daha agresif bir klinik seyirle ve sonuçta daha kötü bir prognoz ile ilişkilidir (5).…”

Perforating duodenal ulcer with umbilical herniation as a metastatic complication of primary signet ring cell carcinoma of the breast

“…Of these subvariants, primary signet ring cell carcinoma (SRCC) of the breast is among the rarest and least understood. Signet ring breast cancers have poorer outcomes than those lacking signet ring features, including an increased incidence of axillary lymph node metastases [ 2 , 3 ]. Though primary SRCC has been recognized as a bona fide breast cancer subtype since 2003, given the small number of reported cases, the associated patterns of metastatic dissemination are poorly described.…”