A Case of Carcinosarcoma of the Breast Presenting as Inflammatory Carcinoma and Review of the Literature
CUREUS
Authors: Lakshmi, Harish Neelamraju; Saini, Devendra; Om, Prabha; Verma, Naveen
Abstract
Carcinosarcoma, also known as metaplastic carcinoma, is a rare and aggressive malignant tumor. We report a case of metaplastic carcinoma presenting as inflammatory carcinoma and provide a review of the related literature. A 38-year-old breastfeeding woman presented with concerns about a painful lump in her left breast. The symptoms had been present for two months. After admission to the hospital, the triple assessment revealed findings consistent with inflammatory carcinoma of the breast. The patient underwent modified radical mastectomy. Histopathological examination revealed a gray-white tumor with a biphasic pattern with features of ductal carcinoma as well as squamous and sarcomatous differentiation. On immunohistochemistry, the neoplastic cells were positive for cytokeratin and vimentin, and focally positive for smooth muscle antigen (SMA) and negative for estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR), and human epidermal growth factor receptor (HER-2/neu). Based on histological and immunohistochemical findings, the tumor was diagnosed as carcinosarcoma. Four of eighteen dissected axillary lymph nodes were positive for metastasis. Carcinosarcoma is often a triple-negative tumor. The lack of standardized treatment protocols frequently leads to poor prognosis and can pose a diagnostic dilemma; it should be part of the differential diagnosis for a case of carcinoma of the breast presenting as inflammatory carcinoma.
Basaloid squamous cell carcinoma with adenoid cystic-like features of the head and neck region: A report of two cases
PATHOLOGY INTERNATIONAL
Authors: Kusafuka, Kimihide; Yagi, Haruna; Baba, Satoshi; Inagaki, Hiroshi; Tsuchiya, Chinatsu; Hirata, Kazuki; Muramatsu, Aya; Suzuki, Makoto; Arai, Kazumori; Terada, Tadashi
Abstract
The histology of basaloid squamous cell carcinoma (BSCC) can resemble that of adenoid cystic carcinoma (AdCC). Herein, we report two cases of BSCC with adenoid cystic-like features (BSCC-AdC). We collected cases of AdCC and BSCC of the head and neck region, extracted two cases with unusual histology, and reexamined them histologically and immunohistochemically. Case 1 involved an 81-year-old Japanese male, who had an elastic-hard mass on the left side of his tongue, and a biopsy examination suggested AdCC. Case 2 involved a 63-year-old Japanese male, who had a polypoid mass on his right hypopharynx. He was diagnosed with AdCC with high-grade transformation. Histologically, atypical cells in a myxoid stroma, which exhibited trabecular, nest-like, and/or cribriform growth patterns, and necrosis were observed in both cases. Case 2 displayed more marked cellular atypia than Case 1. Immunohistochemically, the tumor cells were diffusely positive for cytokeratin 5/6, p63/p40, SRY-related HMG-box 10 and Ki-67, but negative for other myoepithelial markers and p16. Finally, both cases were rediagnosed as BSCC-AdC. It is known that esophageal BSCC displays adenoid cystic-like features, and BSCC-AdC also sometimes occurs in the head and neck region. Clinicians should carefully differentiate BSCC-AdC from AdCC of the minor salivary glands and human papillomavirus-related carcinoma.