Adenoid cystic carcinoma of the breast

Adenoid cystic carcinoma of the breast is analogous to adenoid cystic carcinoma of the salivary glands.

Epidemiology

Adenoid cystic carcinoma of the breast constitutes 0.1 to 1.0% of all carcinomas of the breast.

Histopathology

The architectural pattern may be trabecular, cribriform, solid or basaloid, usually a combination of these.

Immunohistochemistry

 

 

adenoid cystic carcinoma

infiltrating tubular carcinoma

infiltrating cribriform carcinoma

 

oestrogen receptors

3/201

10/101

10/101

progesterone receptors

2/201

16/201

Her2

0/201

3/201

CD117

19/201

0/101

0/101

p63

17/201

0/101

0/101

e-cadherin

18/201

10/101

10/101

       
       
       

Differential diagnosis

Prognosis

The prognosis is usually good. 10-15% of cases develop metastases to axillary lymph nodes. A solid pattern is associated with more aggressive behaviour, distant metastases and poor five-year survival.

References

1 Mastropasqua MG, Maiorano E, Pruneri G, et al. Immunoreactivity for c-kit and p63 as an adjunct in the diagnosis of adenoid cystic carcinoma of the breast. Mod Pathol 2005; 18:1277-82

This page last revised 1.4.2006.

©SMUHT/PW Bishop