Report of a metaplastic carcinoma of the breast with multi-directional differentiation: an adenoid cystic carcinoma, a spindle cell carcinoma and melanoma

Virchows Arch. 2008 May;452(5):575-9. doi: 10.1007/s00428-008-0588-7.

Abstract

Metaplastic carcinoma of the breast is a heterogeneous neoplasia, generally composed of both epithelial and mesenchymal components. We report an unusual case of mammary metaplastic carcinoma in a 51-year-old female patient. Needle core biopsy from the tumour mass showed malignant epithelial and sarcomatous features. The resection specimen revealed a multi-directional tumour differentiation consisting predominantly of: firstly, a poorly differentiated basaloid epithelial cell type, consistent with an adenoid cystic carcinoma; secondly, areas of a spindle cell carcinoma; and, thirdly, areas with a melanocytic differentiation. This is the first report on a metaplastic carcinoma of the breast presenting as an admixture of an adenoid cystic carcinoma and melanoma.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Biopsy, Fine-Needle
  • Breast Neoplasms / diagnosis
  • Breast Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Carcinoma / diagnosis
  • Carcinoma / pathology*
  • Carcinoma, Adenoid Cystic / diagnosis
  • Carcinoma, Adenoid Cystic / pathology*
  • Cell Transformation, Neoplastic / pathology*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Melanoma / diagnosis
  • Melanoma / pathology*
  • Metaplasia / diagnosis
  • Metaplasia / pathology
  • Middle Aged