Comparative Study of Metaplastic Breast Carcinoma and Triple-Negative Breast Carcinoma Using Histologic and Immunohistochemical Analyses.
- Author:
Ji Yeon KIM
1
;
Taeeun KIM
;
Eun Yoon CHO
Author Information
1. Department of Pathology, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea. eunyoon.cho@samsung.com
- Publication Type:Comparative Study ; Original Article
- Keywords:
Metaplastic carcinoma;
Breast;
Triple-negative cancer;
Immunohistochemistry
- MeSH:
Breast;
Breast Neoplasms;
Caveolin 1;
Cellular Structures;
Estrogens;
Humans;
Immunohistochemistry;
Keratins;
Phenotype;
Receptor, Epidermal Growth Factor;
Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A
- From:Korean Journal of Pathology
2010;44(6):605-612
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
BACKGROUND: Metaplastic carcinoma of the breast is a rare subtype of breast cancer, which is characterized by estrogen receptor/progesterone receptor and HER2 negativity. METHODS: Tissue specimens from 60 metaplastic breast cancer and 60 triple-negative breast cancer patients diagnosed at a single institution between 1995 and 2009 were analyzed. Immunohistochemistry for caveolin-1 (CAV-1), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), c-kit, p53, Ki-67, breast cancer type 1 susceptibility protein (BRCA1), cytokeratin (CK)14, and CK17 were performed on both retained tissue sets. RESULTS: Of the 60 metaplastic carcinomas, 15 tumors (25%) exhibited spindle cell component, 27 (45%) exhibited chondroid differentiation, and 18 (30%) exhibited squamous areas. Compared to triple-negative carcinomas, metaplastic carcinomas significantly more frequently expressed CK14 (p < 0.0001), CK17 (p = 0.002), EGFR (p < 0.0001), CAV-1 (p < 0.0001), and VEGF (p = 0.029). However, expressions of BRCA1, p53, c-kit, and Ki-67 were not significantly different between both groups. CONCLUSIONS: The expression profile of metaplastic carcinoma of the breast is more homogeneous than that of other triple-negative tumors and frequently over-expresses basal markers, CAV-1, and VEGF. A typical "basal-like" phenotype and frequent expressions of CAV-1 and VEGF may justify specific therapeutic approaches.
