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Review
. 2010 Aug;122(3):637-45.
doi: 10.1007/s10549-010-0961-5. Epub 2010 Jun 4.

Papillary carcinoma of the breast: an overview

Sumanta Kumar Pal  1 , Sean K Lau, Laura Kruper, Uzoamaka Nwoye, Carlos Garberoglio, Ravi K Gupta, Benjamin Paz, Lalit Vora, Eduardo Guzman, Avo Artinyan, George Somlo
Affiliations
Review

Papillary carcinoma of the breast: an overview

Sumanta Kumar Pal et al. Breast Cancer Res Treat. 2010 Aug.

Abstract

Papillary carcinoma of the breast represents approximately 0.5% of all newly diagnosed cases of breast cancer. The prevalence of both invasive and in situ papillary carcinoma seems to be greater in older postmenopausal women and, in relative terms, in males. Histologic features of the tumor include cellular proliferations surrounding fibrovascular cores, with or without invasion. In this review, characteristics of both in situ and invasive disease are outlined. Immunohistochemical analyses of papillary carcinoma suggest the utility of markers such as smooth muscle myosin heavy chain, calponin, p63, and high molecular weight keratins, which can characterize the myoepithelial cell layer. With respect to radiographic evaluation of papillary carcinoma, ultrasonography is the most extensively studied imaging modality, though magnetic resonance mammography has potential utility. Available data suggest improved outcome for papillary carcinoma as compared to invasive ductal carcinoma. Treatment-related information for patients with papillary carcinoma is limited, and patterns noted in available series suggest a variable approach to this disease. The scarcity of information underscores the need for further treatment- and outcome-related studies in papillary carcinoma of the breast.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Papillary DCIS.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Encapsulated (intracystic) papillary carcinoma.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Encapsulated papillary carcinoma with an invasive component.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Solid papillary carcinoma, low magnification.
Figure 5
Figure 5
Solid papillary carcinoma, intermediate magnification.
Figure 6
Figure 6
Invasive micropapillary carcinoma.
Figure 7
Figure 7
Intraductal papilloma. Immunohistochemistry for calponin decorates myoepithelial cells in the intraluminal papillary fronds and surrounding the involved duct.
Figure 8
Figure 8
Papillary DCIS. P63 immunohistochemistry shows discontinuous staining along the periphery of the duct. No myoepithelial cells are detected within the papillae.
Figure 9
Figure 9
Ultrasonographic (A) and magnetic resonance mammographic (B) characterization of a large, invasive papillary carcinoma diagnosed. (Courtesy of Lalit Vora, M.D., City of Hope Comprehensive Cancer Center, Duarte, CA.)
Figure 10
Figure 10
Observed cumulative survival in patients with invasive and in situ papillary carcinoma of the breast. (Reproduced with permission from Grabowski J, Salzstein SL, Sadler GR, et al: Intracystic papillary carcinoma. Cancer 113:916–920, 2008.)
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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