Clear cell carcinoma of the breast with solid papillary pattern: a case report with immunohistochemical profile

Abstract

Glycogen rich clear cell carcinoma of the breast is a rare neoplasm with different morphological characteristics to ordinary breast carcinomas. However, it has some common features with clear cell carcinomas of other organs. This report describes a case of clear cell carcinoma of the breast with a solid papillary pattern centrally localised in the left breast of a 45 year old woman. Antibodies directed against cytokeratin 7 (CK7), CK10, CK14, CK17, CK18, CK19, CK20, CK5/6/18, CK8/18, high molecular weight cytokeratin AE3, high molecular weight cytokeratin 34betaE12, the oestrogen receptor, the progesterone receptor, chromogranin, S-100 protein, smooth muscle actin, vimentin, and carcinoembryogenic antigen were applied to analyse the immunophenotypical profile of this rare neoplasm.

Figure 1

(A) Tumour with a solid papillary pattern located within a cystically dilated duct. (B) Cells with centrally localised, round, hyperchromatic, atypical nuclei, prominent nucleoli, polygonal clear cytoplasm, and distinct cell borders (haematoxylin and eosin stain; original magnification, ×310). (C) The tumour invaded the stroma forming solid nests (haematoxylin and eosin stain; original magnification, ×125).

Figure 2

Diffuse and strong cytokeratin 8/18 immunoreactivity in the tumour cells (original magnification, ×310).