Abstract

NINO-HERNANDEZ, Lucía Mercedes et al. Squamous cell-type metaplastic breast carcinoma: case report and literature review. Rev Colomb Obstet Ginecol [online]. 2011, vol.62, n.3, pp.261-266. ISSN 0034-7434.

Introduction: squamous cell-type metaplastic breast carcinoma is an unusual malign neoplasia, accounting for 0.04% of breast carcinomas. Its clinical and imagenologic diagnosis is complex, given its similarity with benign lesions; however, its rapid growth alerts doctors concerning its aggressive behavior. No general consensus was found about its diagnosis and treatment due to the few pertinent cases published to date in the literature. A case is presented, aimed at reviewing the topic regarding histopathological diagnosis and prognostic factors. Clinical case: a clinical case of a 51 year-old patient is presented; she had a 6 cm mass in her right breast and ecographic studies (Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System - BIRADS III) reported a probable benign lesion. The histopathological study revealed a malignant tumor consisting of squamous cells lining cystic spaces. Materials and methods: the PubMed database was explored for the literature review, seeking systematic reviews, presentations of clinical cases, clinical and epidemiological studies, using the key words: metaplastic breast carcinoma, metaplastic carcinoma and 2000-2011. Conclusions: histopathologically, metaplastic carcinoma of squamous cells could become presented as a mixture of adenocarcinoma having dominant areas of squamous differentiation and even pure squamous forms, representing the tumor’s phenotypical plasticity. The modified Scarff-Bloom-Richardson system was not applicable regarding this lesion. The most important prognostic factors were age and tumor size; however, some studies considered nodal metastasis and the state of the receptors.

Keywords : breast cancer; metaplasia; squamous cell carcinoma.

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