[Cystic hypersecretory carcinoma: rare and potentially aggressive variant of intraductal carcinoma of the breast. Report of five cases]

Abstract

Objective: To describe a poorly recognized histological and immunohistochemical features of cystic hypersecretory carcinoma of breast, including the overexpression of HER-2/neu protein and androgen receptors.

Subject: Review of clinical and pathological features of 5 cases of cystic hypersecretory carcinoma.

Setting: Private Bioptic Lab, Plzen and Department of Pathology, Charles University, Plzen.

Subject and methods: Five cases of rare variant of intraductal carcinoma of the breast, so-called cystic hypersecretory carcinoma, are reported. The patients were females aged between 53 and 78 years (average 66.8 years). The size of the lesions ranged between 7 and 8 cm in largest dimension.

Results: In two cases, the development of high grade invasive ductal carcinoma was observed; in one additional case there was recurrence of high grade in situ carcinoma after three years. Strong overexpression of HER-2/neu protein was observed in three cases including those two with invasive component. Protein p53 was variably positive in all cases. Steroid receptor immunohistochemical study yielded variable results with only one case being positive for both estrogen and progesterone receptors. Interestingly, in most case (4/5) staining for androgen receptors was observed.

Conclusion: The importance of correct diagnosis of this potentially aggressive lesion is emphasized. The differential diagnosis of breast lesions with predominantly cystic growth pattern is discussed in detail.