Abstract #805972: Invasive Neuroendocrine Breast Carcinoma Presenting as Liver Metastasis

Abstract Background Secretory breast carcinoma is an uncommon subset of breast cancer that usually has a favorable outcome. Although initially described in children, it also occurs in adults where it may metastasize, possibly resulting in death. To date, only 20 cases of secretory breast carcinoma with distant metastases have been described. Case presentation A 42-year-old female presented with liver metastasis after modified radical mastectomy of the left breast in 2008 at 34 years of age. The liver metastasis was morphologically similar to the primary tumor. Pan-TRK and Fluorescence in situ hybridization showed a rearrangement in the ETV6 gene. She subsequently underwent adjuvant chemotherapy with a fatal outcome. Conclusions Although secretory breast carcinoma is usually associated with favorable outcomes, our study and reviews provide a novel insight into the genetic spectrum and treatment of secretory breast carcinoma showing reduced expression of hormone receptors, abnormal genomic profiles, and possible poor prognosis. Targeted therapy may curb clinically aggressive cases. Additional molecular investigations are needed to determine the links between specific mutations and poor prognosis.

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Different Expression of HER2/neu Oncogene in Breast Carcinoma and in Liver Metastasis. Description of a Case

Tumori Journal ◽

10.1177/030089160609200612 ◽

2006 ◽

Vol 92 (6) ◽

pp. 536-539 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Elisa Rossi ◽

Edda Simoncini ◽

Francesca Valcamonico ◽

Giovanni Marini ◽

Piergiovanni Grigolato ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Breast Cancer ◽

Liver Metastasis ◽

Breast Carcinoma ◽

Primary Tumor ◽

Left Breast ◽

Metastatic Carcinoma ◽

Adequate Treatment ◽

Her 2 ◽

Neu Oncogene ◽

Liver Ultrasonography

We report the clinical, morphological and molecular findings regarding a 37-year-old woman with breast cancer metastatic to the liver and describe the different expression of a tumor marker in the primary and secondary lesions and the singular responsiveness to treatment. The patient suffered from a carcinoma of the left breast with metastasis to the liver. High HER-2 protein expression assessed by immunohistochemistry and HER-2/neu amplification determined by FISH were present in the primary tumor, while the liver metastasis showed a lower value of HER-2 protein (2+) and absence of HER-2/neu amplification. The patient was treated with chemotherapy (epirubicin and paclitaxel) followed by trastuzumab and docetaxel. After 5 months, at the completion of chemo-immunotherapy, liver ultrasonography showed a further hepatic response. A second biopsy was performed on the residual liver nodule: immunohistochemistry revealed negative (1+) HER-2 expression and FISH confirmed that the HER-2/neu gene was not amplified. The different amplification of HER-2 and expression of its protein in primary and metastatic carcinoma could be important for planning adequate treatment.

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