Molecular Classification of Breast Cancer

Abstract

Breast carcinomas classified based on traditional morphologic assessment provide useful prognostic information. Although morphology is still the gold standard of classification, recent advances in molecular technologies have enabled the classification of these tumors into four distinct subtypes based on its intrinsic molecular profile that provide both predictive and prognostic information. This article describes the association between the different molecular subtypes with the histologic subtypes of breast cancer and illustrates how these subtypes may affect the appearance of tumors on imaging studies.

Keywords: Basal-like breast carcinoma; Breast cancer; HER2-positive breast carcinoma; Luminal breast carcinoma; Triple-negative breast carcinoma.