Abstract
Metaplastic squamous cell carcinoma of the breast is a very rare form of breast cancer that consists of both glandular and nonglandular components mixed with epithelial and mesenchymal tissues. Worldwide, the incidence of this tumor is between 0.1 and 2%. Because of the rarity of this tumor and heterogeneous behavior of the tumor cells, it is difficult to establish the standard therapeutic approach. We report 2 cases of metaplastic squamous cell carcinoma of the breast in young patients with different responses to treatment strategies. The first case is a premenopausal female with metaplastic squamous cell carcinoma treated with surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy, and the second case is perimenopausal metaplastic squamous cell carcinoma with sarcomatoid subtype and osteoid matrix production which progressed on chemotherapy and was treated with surgery and radiation.
Highlights
Squamous cell carcinomas (SCC) are common in the skin and respiratory and upper GI tracts lined by squamous cells
The Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database of the National Cancer Institute (NCI), from 2011 to 2015, shows a total of 168 cases of epidermoid carcinoma which accounted for 0.1% of total invasive breast carcinoma [3]
WHO 2012 classified metaplastic breast carcinoma as invasive breast cancers with squamous or mesenchymal components with elements of spindle, chondroid, osseous, and rhabdomyoid cells mixed with the usual cell type [4]
Summary
Squamous cell carcinomas (SCC) are common in the skin and respiratory and upper GI tracts lined by squamous cells. WHO 2012 classified metaplastic breast carcinoma as invasive breast cancers with squamous or mesenchymal components with elements of spindle, chondroid, osseous, and rhabdomyoid cells mixed with the usual cell type [4]. There are different hypotheses to explain the histogenesis of squamous cell carcinoma of the breast It may arise de novo from epithelium lining of the breast or present as a small foci in preexisting adenocarcinoma or deep-seated epidermal cyst [6, 7]. In either case, they express heterogeneous somatic mutations [8, 9]. Though they have very poor prognosis, the determinant of the prognosis is not clear
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
