Secretory carcinoma of the breast: Clinicopathologic profile of 14 cases emphasising distant metastatic potential Journal Article


Authors: Hoda, R. S.; Brogi, E.; Pareja, F.; Nanjangud, G.; Murray, M. P.; Weigelt, B.; Reis-Filho, J. S.; Wen, H. Y.
Article Title: Secretory carcinoma of the breast: Clinicopathologic profile of 14 cases emphasising distant metastatic potential
Abstract: Aims: Secretory carcinoma of the breast (SCB) is a rare histological type of breast carcinoma with a generally indolent clinical behaviour. We aim to elucidate the clinical, pathological and molecular findings of SCB cases and identify characteristics associated with aggressive clinical courses. Methods and results: Fourteen patients with SCB were identified, including 12 women and two men, with a median age of 56 years (range = 8–81 years). Clinical data, histological diagnosis, molecular findings and follow-up were reviewed. Eight patients presented with palpable masses and four patients with radiographic abnormalities. All cases were unilateral. Surgical procedures included excisional biopsies and ipsilateral mastectomies. In 10 cases, oestrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR) and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) results were obtained, with six cases positive for ER and three positive for PR. All cases lacked HER2 overexpression. Sentinel lymph node biopsy was performed in 10 cases, and two patients had axillary lymph node metastasis. Follow-up ranged from 21 to 212 months (median = 70 months). Two patients developed distant metastasis of SCB. Molecular analysis of these aggressive tumours revealed amplification of the 16p13.3 locus, a TERT promotor mutation and loss of 9p21.3 locus. Review of the literature for SCB cases with distant metastasis was performed. Conclusions: Although SCBs are generally associated with a favourable prognosis, our study and review demonstrate that a subset of SCBs may develop distant metastases. Further studies are warranted to identify markers predictive of more aggressive clinical behaviour in this rare breast cancer subtype. © 2019 John Wiley & Sons Ltd
Keywords: breast; targeted therapy; translocation; basal-like carcinoma; etv6-ntrk3; secretory breast carcinoma
Journal Title: Histopathology
Volume: 75
Issue: 2
ISSN: 0309-0167
Publisher: Wiley Blackwell  
Date Published: 2019-08-01
Start Page: 213
End Page: 224
Language: English
DOI: 10.1111/his.13879
PUBMED: 31012486
PROVIDER: scopus
PMCID: PMC6646069
DOI/URL:
Notes: Article -- Export Date: 2 August 2019 -- Source: Scopus
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  1. Melissa P Murray
    123 Murray
  2. Hannah Yong Wen
    301 Wen
  3. Edi Brogi
    515 Brogi
  4. Britta Weigelt
    632 Weigelt