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Case Reports
. 2014 Mar 13;19(1):14.
doi: 10.1186/2047-783X-19-14.

Mixed epithelial and mesenchymal metaplastic carcinoma (carcinosarcoma) of the breast: a case report

Yu Kang, Shu Kang, Qingchang Li, Xinyu Zheng  1
Affiliations
Case Reports

Mixed epithelial and mesenchymal metaplastic carcinoma (carcinosarcoma) of the breast: a case report

Yu Kang et al. Eur J Med Res. .

Abstract

Metaplastic breast carcinoma (MBC) is an uncommon malignancy characterized by the co-existence of two or more cellular types, commonly a mixture of epithelial and mesenchymal components. A case of a female patient aged 46 years with MBC (carcinosarcoma) is presented, including mammographic, ultrasonic, gross examination, and pathological findings. After undergoing modified radical mastectomy of the left breast and subsequent six courses of adjuvant chemotherapy and endocrine therapy, the patient is now doing well with no recurrence and metastasis. Conventional treatments for invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC) may appear to be less effective. Patients with MBC would be appropriate candidates for innovative or targeted therapy regimens.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Mammograms demonstrate two high-density masses. A. Left craniocaudal mammogram shows two well-circumscribed round masses with internal heterogeneous micro-calcifications. B. Left mediolateral oblique mammogram shows two high-density masses in the upper outer quadrant of the left breast.
Figure 2
Figure 2
A 46-year-old woman with palpable masses in the left breast. A. Ultrasound demonstrates a pear-shaped complex echoic lesion with relatively indistinct margins. B. A hyperechoic area with abundant vessels within the mass. Another mass of the lesion is hyperechoic with spotted blood flow.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Left breast elastography shows the whole lesion was blue colored.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Gross examination shows a cystic-solid tumor, which consisted of two parts. Dark-red hemorrhage is noted.
Figure 5
Figure 5
Epithelial and mesenchymal components are shown together (hematoxylin and eosin (HE) ×20).
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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