Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Expression in Invasive Ductal Carcinoma of Breast

Objective： To detect the expression of VEGF and MVD count in invasive ductal carcinoma of breast to clarify the association of VEGF expression and MVD count with the clinicopathologic features. Methods： The expressions of VEGF, ER, PR, C-erbB-2 and MVD count in 88 cases of invasive ductal carcinoma of breast were examined by immunohistochemistry staining （SP-method）. Results： Sixty-two out of the eighty-eight specimens of breast carcinoma （70.45%） showed positive expression of VEGF. The positive rate of VEGF in cases with lymph node metastasis was higher than that without lymph node metastasis （P〈0.05）. The positive rate of VEGF in stage IIb-Ⅲ was higher than that in stage Ⅰ-Ⅱa （P〈0.05）. The positive rate of VEGF in C-erbB-2 positive group was higher than that in C-erbB-2 negative group （P〈0.05）. Higher expression of VEGF was observed in cases with higher tissue differentiation degree （P〈0.05）. Also, significant higher MVD count was observed in cases with higher tissue differentiation degree （P〈0.01）. The MVD count increased significantly with the increase of the expression of VEGF （P〈0.01）. Conclusion： The result of this study suggested that in invasive ductal carcinoma of breast, angiogenesis and metastasis were mediated mainly by VEGF. The expression of VEGF and MVD might be reference predictors for the biological behavior of breast carcinoma. The antiangiogenic therapy which used VEGF as a target would become a new method to treat patients who were C-erbB-2 positive in the future.

Low-Grade and High-Grade Invasive Ductal Carcinomas of the Breast Follow Divergent routes of Progression

Low-grade invasive ductal carcinoma is almost diploid, and has frequent losses of chromosome 16q, which is shared by other precancerous lesions of the mammary gland such as flat epithelial atypia （FEA）, atypical ductal hyperplasia （ADH）, and lownuclear grade ductal carcinoma in situ （DCIS）. The genetic alterations accumulate in a stepwise fashion as the precancerous lesions progress to invasve ductal carcinoma. This supports the linear progression model of breast cancer from FEA, through ADH, to low- nuclear grade DCIS as non-obligate early events in low-grade IDC evolution. In contrast, high-grade carcinoma tends to aneuploidy with complex genetic alterations--most importantly, frequent gains at chromosome 16q. Frequent losses at chromosome 16q in low-grade IDC and gains in the same arm of the same chromosome in high-grade IDC imply that these lesions are two end outcomes of different disease processes and that they do not lie in the same continuum of a process. Therefore, low-grade and high-grade IDC are two distinct diseases with a divergent route of progression.

Polo-like kinase 1 as a biomarker predicts the prognosis and immunotherapy of breast invasive carcinoma patients

Invasive breast carcinoma(BRCA)is associated with poor prognosis and high risk of mortality.Therefore,it is critical to identify novel biomarkers for the prognostic assessment of BRCA.Methods:The expression data of polo-like kinase 1(PLK1)in BRCA and the corresponding clinical information were extracted from TCGA and GEO databases.PLK1 expression was validated in diverse breast cancer cell lines by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction(qRT-PCR)and western blotting.Single sample gene set enrichment analysis(ssGSEA)was performed to evaluate immune infiltration in the BRCA microenvironment,and the random forest(RF)and support vector machine(SVM)algorithms were used to screen for the hub infiltrating cells and calculate the immunophenoscore(IPS).The RF algorithm and COX regression model were applied to calculate survival risk scores based on the PLK1 expression and immune cell infiltration.Finally,a prognostic nomogram was constructed with the risk score and pathological stage,and its clinical potential was evaluated by plotting calibration charts and DCA curves.The application of the nomogram was further validated in an immunotherapy cohort.Results:PLK1 expression was significantly higher in the tumor samples in TCGA-BRCA cohort.Furthermore,PLK1 expression level,age and stage were identified as independent prognostic factors of BRCA.While the IPS was unaffected by PLK1 expression,the TMB and MATH scores were higher in the PLK1-high group,and the TIDE scores were higher for the PLK1-low patients.We also identified 6 immune cell types with high infiltration,along with 11 immune cell types with low infiltration in the PLK1-high tumors.A risk score was devised using PLK1 expression and hub immune cells,which predicted the prognosis of BRCA patients.In addition,a nomogram was constructed based on the risk score and pathological staging,and showed good predictive performance.Conclusions:PLK1 expression and immune cell infiltration can predict post-immunotherapy prognosis of BRCA patients.

Clinical and pathological characteristics of intraductal proliferative lesions and coexist with invasive ductal carcinomas

Objective： The purpose of this study was to study the clinical and pathological characteristics of breast intraductal proliferative lesions （IDPLs） and associated with invasive breast cancer. Methods： We reviewed 327 cases of breast intra- ductal proliferative lesions including 53 cases of usual ductal hyperplasia, 57 cases of atypical ductal hyperplasia, 89 cases of ductal carcinoma in situ, and 128 cases coexist with invasive ductal carcinomas. Cases of pure invasive cancer without intraductal proliferative lesions were excluded. The mult IDPLs biological parameters including the express of ER, PR, HER2, HIF-lo and Ki-67 detected by immunohistochemistry S-P method （n = 327） and the levels of CA153, TSGF, CA125 and CEA both in nipple discharge and serum （n = 179） measured with Electrochemiluminescence method and their relationship were studied, and 30 cases of normal pregnant women were compared with. Results： A single histologic subtype was present in 49.85% （163/327） of the cases, two subtypes in 33.03% （108/327）, and three in 17.13% （56/327）. The most common subtypes present were cribriform （43.12%, 141/327） and solid （38.53%, 126/327）, while the comedo （16.35%, 54/327）, and micropapillary （12.84%, 42/327） subtypes were less common. Comedo and solid were frequently found together for coexpres- sion as were micropapillary and papillary subtypes. However, Comedo subtype was much less likely to be found with papillary, cribriform or micropapillary subtypes. Additionally, comedo subtypes tend to be hormone receptor negative, Her2 positive and high-grade while the cribriform and solid subtype tends to be hormone receptor positive, Her2 negative and low grade. Papil- lary subtype was least likely to be associated with an invasive cancer. Furthermore, the nipple discharge and serum levels of CA153, TSGF, CA125 and CEA in coexist with invasive ductal carcinomas patients were significantly higher than those in the benign breast disease （pure intraductal proliferative lesions） and normal pregnant women （P 〈 0.01）. Additionally, the levels of CA153, TSGF, CA125 and CEA in nipple discharge were significantly higher than in the serum （P 〈 0.01）, and had a positive correlation with the Ki-67, grade, clinical stage, lymph node metastasis and tumor recurrence （P 〈 0.05）, and negative correla- tion with the level of ER and PR （P 〈 0.05）. The sensitivity of the four serum tumor markers in combination was only 69.77%, in contrast, the combined detection both in discharge and serum was 97.67%, and the negative predictive value was 99.03%. The sensitivity of combined detection both in nipple discharge and serum were significantly higher than other detection （P 〈 0.05）. Conclusion： IDPLs often present more than one histologic subtype and the most common subtypes are cribriform and solid, while comedo and micropapillary subtypes are less common. Our results suggest that the levels of CA153, TSGF, CA125 and CEA in nipple discharge were significantly higher than those in the serum, and is associated with HIF-le. The aberration of HIF-la may play a key role during oncogenesis and promote breast cellular transformation into malignancy, a finding useful for further understanding of tumorigenesis. Nipple discharge can be the earliest presenting symptom of breast cancer. The dynamic combined detection of the four tumor markers both in nipple discharge and serum are helpful to the stratification of preoperative patients and benefit to better prewarning markers for monitoring their recurrence and metastasis and clinical staging of tumors in clinic, but cannot increase the sensitivity of judging the patients with early breast cancer.

Shear Wave Elastography of Invasive Ductal Carcinoma:Correlations between Shear Wave Velocity and Histological Prognostic Factors

The correlations between shear wave velocity(SWV)calculated from virtual touch tissue imaging quantification(VTIQ)technique and histological prognostic factors of invasive ductal carcinoma was investigated.A total of 76 breast tumors histologically confirmed as invasive ductal carcinomas were included in this study.SWV values were measured by VTIQ for each lesion preoperatively or prior to breast biopsy.The maximum values were recorded for statistical analysis.Medical records were reviewed to determine tumor size,histological grade,lymph node status and immunohistochemical results.Tumor subtypes were categorized as luminal A,luminal B,human epidermal growth factor receptor 2(HER2)positive and triple negative.The correlations between SWV and histological prognostic factors were analyzed.It was found that tumor size showed positive association with SWV(r=0.465,P<0.001).Larger tumors had significantly higher SWV than smaller ones(P=0.001).Histological grade 1 tumors had significantly lower SWV values than those with higher histological grade(P=0.015).The Ki67 expression,tumor subtypes and lymph node status showed no statistically significant correlations with SWV,although triple negative tumors and lymph node-positive tumors showed higher SWV values.It was concluded that tumor size was significantly associated with SWV.Higher histological grade was associated with increased SWV.There was no statistically significant correlations between SWV and other histological prognostic factors.

Expression of Presenilin-2 and Glutathione S Transferase π and Their Clinical Significance in Breast Infiltrating Ductal Carcinoma

To investigate the expressions of presenilin-2 (PS2) and glutathione Stransferase π (GSTπ) and their roles in prognosis and therapy of breast infiltrating ductalcarcinoma. Methods: The paraffin-embedded specimens of 210 patients with breast infiltrating ductalcarcinoma were examined by using LSAB immunohistochemistry for the expression of PS2 and GSTπ.Results: The expression rate of PS2 and GSTπ was 49.5% (104/210) and 48.1% (101/210) respectively.The 5-year and 10-year postoperative survival rates in 4 groups, from high to low, were group 1 (PS2positive expression/GSTπ negative expression), group 2 (PS2 positive expression/GSTπ positiveexpression), group 3 (PS2 negative expression/GSTπ negative expression) and group 4 (PS2 negativeexpression/GSTπ positive expression) in turn. Conclusion: The prognosis of the group 1 was thebest, followed by the group 2, group 3 and group 4 in turn. These results suggested that thereasonable use of endocrinotherapy and chemotherapy for patients with breast infiltrating ductalcarcinoma is necessary.

Infiltrating ductal breast carcinoma with monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance:A case report

BACKGROUND Infiltrating ductal breast carcinoma with monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance(MGUS)is rare and easily misdiagnosed.Most patients are first diagnosed with MGUS.We report a rare case of MGUS secondary to infiltrating ductal breast carcinoma.We also review the literature to analyze the clinical characteristics and diagnostic methods.CASE SUMMARY A 51-year-old woman underwent modified radical mastectomy for infiltrating ductal carcinoma of the right breast and was then treated with radiation and chemotherapy.A decreased platelet count was found on routine blood examination,and MGUS was subsequently diagnosed.This is the first report of the occurrence of MGUS after breast cancer surgery.CONCLUSION Vigilance is required to distinguish this rare comorbidity from breast plasmacytoma.

Clinical Value Analysis of Ultrasonography and MRI in Diagnosis of Invasive Micropapillary Carcinoma of Breast

Objective:To investigate the diagnostic value of invasive micropapillary carcinoma(IMPC)by ultrasonography and MRI.Method:63 female patients with IMPC were selected,all of which were confirmed by pathological examination,and were assigned to the IMPC group.In the same period,40 patients with invasive ductal carcinoma(IDC group)were selected for diagnostic efficacy control.The efficacy indexes of accuracy,sensitivity,specificity,positive prediction rate and negative prediction rate were 73.0%,65.9%,89.5%,93.5%,46.9%,respectively.The efficiency indexes of accuracy,sensitivity,specificity,positive prediction rate and negative prediction rate of ultrasound combined with breast MRI were 93.6%,93.2%,94.7%,97.6%,85.7%.Ultrasonography combined with MRI has more application value in the diagnosis of IMPC.

Tumor characteristics of ductal carcinoma in situ of breast visualized on [F-18] fluorodeoxyglucose-positron emission tomography/computed tomography: Results from a retrospective study

AIM To clarify clinicopathological features of ductal carcinoma in situ(DCIS) visualized on [F-18] fluorodeoxyglucosepositron emission tomography/computed tomography(FDG-PET/CT).METHODS This study retrospectively reviewed 52 consecutive tumors in 50 patients with pathologically proven pure DCIS who underwent [F-18] FDG-PET/CT before surgery. [F-18] FDG-PET/CT was performed after biopsy in all patients. The mean interval from biopsy to [F-18] FDGPET/CT was 29.2 d. [F-18] FDG uptake by visual analysis and maximum standardized uptake value(SUVmax) was compared with clinicopathological characteristics.RESULTS[F-18] FDG uptake was visualized in 28 lesions(53.8%) and the mean and standard deviation of SUVmax was 1.63 and 0.90. On univariate analysis, visual analysis and the SUVmax were associated with symptomatic presentation(P = 0.012 and 0.002, respectively), palpability(P = 0.030 and 0.024, respectively), use of core-needle biopsy(CNB)(P = 0.023 and 0.012, respectively), ultrasound-guided biopsy(P = 0.040 and 0.006, respectively), enhancing lesion ≥ 20 mm on magnetic resonance imaging(MRI)(P = 0.001 and 0.010, respectively), tumor size ≥ 20 mm on histopathology(P = 0.002 and 0.008, respectively). However, [F-18] FDG uptake parameters were not significantly associated with age, presence of calcification on mammography, mass formation on MRI, presence of comedo necrosis, hormone status(estrogen receptor, progesterone receptor and human epidermal growth factor receptor-2), and nuclear grade. The factors significantly associated with visual analysis and SUVmax were symptomatic presentation(P = 0.019 and 0.001, respectively), use of CNB(P = 0.001 and 0.031, respectively), and enhancing lesion ≥ 20 mm on MRI(P = 0.001 and 0.049, respectively) on multivariate analysis.CONCLUSION Although DCIS of breast is generally non-avid tumor, symptomatic and large tumors(≥ 20 mm) tend to be visualized on [F-18] FDG-PET/CT.

Is sentinel lymph node biopsy necessary for the patients diagnosed with breast ductal carcinoma in situ using core needle biopsy or vacuum-assisted biopsy as the initial diagnostic method？

Axillary lymph node status is one of the most important prognostic indicator of survival for breast cancer, especially in ductal carcinoma in situ （DCIS）. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether sentinel lymph node biopsy （SLNB） should be performed in patients with an initial diagnosis of DCIS. Methods： A retrospective study was performed of 124 patients with an initial diagnosis of DCIS between March 2000 and June 2014. The patients were treated with either SLNB or axillary node dissection during the surgery, and we compared the clinicopathologic characteristics, image features, and immunohistochemical results. Results： Eighty-two patients （66.1%） had pure DCIS and 25 （20.2%） had DCIS with microinvasion （DCISM）, 17 （13.7%） updated to invasive breast cancer （IBC）. 115 patients （92.7%） underwent SLNB, among them, 70 patients （56.5%） underwent axillary node dissection. 3 of 115 patients （2.6%） had a positive sentinel lymph node, only 1 （1.4%） of 70 patients had axillary lymph node metastasis, in 84 patients （66.7%） who were diagnosed DCIS by core needle biopsy （CNB） and vacuum-assisted biopsy （VAB）. 26 patients （31.0%） were upstaged into IBC or DCISM in the final histological diagnosis. The statistically significant factors predictive of underestimation were large tumor size, microcalcifications, comedo necrosis, positive Her-2 status, negative estrogen receptor status. Conclusion： The metastasis of sentinel lymph nodes in pure DCIS is very low, but the underestimation of invasive carcinoma in patients with an initial diagnosis of DCIS is an usual incident, especially in the cases when DCIS is diagnosed by CNB or VAB. Our findings suggest patients presenting with a preoperative diagnosis of DCIS associated with large tumor sizes, microcalcifications, comedo necrosis, positive Her-2 status, negative ER status are more likely to be DCISM and IBC in final diagnosis. SLNB should be performed in this part of patients.

Ultrasonographic features of breast ductalcarcinoma in situ

Objective The aims of this study were to analyze ultrasound features of breast ductal carcinoma in situ(DCIS) and to evaluate the value of ultrasonography(US) in early diagnosis of DCIS.Methods From July 2013 to March 2015,180 patients with histologically proven DCIS were evaluated.US features recorded included the size,shape,margins,internal echogenicity,microcalcifications,posterior echogenicity,and blood supply.The data were analyzed and compared with mammographic and histologic findings.Results Among 180 cases of DCIS,168 patients had positive findings on US;the lesions were divided into 3 categories:(1) hypoechoic lesions with or without microcalcifications(n=94);(2) hypoechoic dilated ducts with or without microcalcifications(n=59);(3) microcalcifications alone without any other findings(n=15).Of the 180 lesions,microcalcifications were demonstrated by mammography in 128(71%);among these 128 lesions,90 were identified with microcalcifications on US.Only 80 cases(44%) manifested as masses or asymmetric densities on mammography.The diagnostic accuracy of US and mammography was 67%(120/180) and 69%(124/180),respectively,which can be improved to 80%(144/180) if US is combined with mammography.Conclusion US can be used as an important tool in diagnosis of DCIS.The combination of US and mammography can improve the diagnostic accuracy of breast DCIS.

DUCTAL CARCINOMA IN SITU OF THE BREAST

Objective: To investigate the clinical characteristics, treatment and prognosis of ductal carcinomain situ (DCIS) of the breast. Methods: Clinicopathological and follow-up data were collected in 52 patients with DCIS. Results: The clinic data showed that 50 patients had signs of breast lumps or/and nipple discharges, 2 patients presented abnormal mammography; 2 patients had lymph node involved; and 14 patients were accompanied with intraductal papillomatosis. All patients were received surgical therapy. The follow-up data showed 1 patient locally recurred after lumpectomy, and was underwent mastectomy again, then cured. There were no patients died of DCIS. Conclusion: Mastectomy should be a standard surgical mode, and the prognosis of DCIS was favorable, but mammography for screening of asymptomatic women should be strengthened to find DCIS.

MTDH Expression in Invasive Micropapillary Carcinoma of the Breast

OBJECTIVE To clarify the expression of MTDH in invasive micropapillary carcinoma of the breast （IMPC） and analyze the relationship between MTDH expression and clinicalpathologic parameters of the IMPC patietns.

Inverted Apical CD24 and Weak EZH2 Expressions Are Phenotypic Characteristics of Pure Invasive Micropapillary Carcinoma of the Breast

Invasive micropapillary carcinomas (IMPC) of the breast account for less than 2% of all breast cancers and have been recently described as luminal B carcinomas. CD24, CD44, ALDH1 and EZH2 are commonly used as stem-cell markers that display differential expression as a function of stage and molecular type, but their pattern of expression according to this rare histological type remains poorly defined and unknown for EZH2. We assessed expression of these markers in a series of 28 micropapillary breast carcinomas and compared the results with those obtained in a series of luminal A (27 cases) and B (34 cases) invasive carcinomas not otherwise specified (IC-NST). CD24 and CD44 were expressed in most cases. However, CD24 was expressed at the inverted apical membrane in 85% of invasive micropapillary carcinoma and at the apical pole of gland-forming cells in 45% of luminal A (p-val = 6.8 × 10-4) and 13% of luminal B cases (p-val = 1.1 × 10-7). ALDH1 was expressed in the stroma in most tumors, but in only 25%, 11% and 15% in epithelial cells of IMPC, luminal A and B IC-NST, respectively. Nuclear expression of EZH2 was not observed in luminal A tumors, and was detected in 35% (12/34) of luminal B carcinomas (p-val = 6.1 × 10-3) and only 4% (1/28) of invasive micropapillary carcinomas. This series shows that invasive micropapillary carcinomas harbor a CD24-positive inverted apical pole associated with weak EZH2 expression, phenotypical characteristics that distinguish this entity from other luminal carcinomas.

Relationship between Lymphatic Vessel Density and Lymph Node Metastasis of Invasive Micropapillary Carcinoma of the Breast

OBJECTIVE To investigate the relationship between lymphatic vessel density and lymph node metastasis of invasive micropapillary carcinoma (IMPC) of the breast. METHODS The immunohistochemical study for vascular endothelial growth factor-c (VEGF-C), VEGF Receptor-3 (VEGFR-3) and lymphatic vessel density of 51 cases of IMPC were performed, and lymph node metastases were examined by microscopic analysis of these cases. RESULTS In IMPC, VEGF-C was expressed in the cytoplasm and/or on the membrane of the tumor cells, and the expression of VEGF-C showed a positive correlation with lymph node metastasis (P<0.01). Lymphatic vessel density was determined by the number of micro-lymphatic vessels with VEGFR-3 positive staining. Lymphatic vessel density was positively correlated with VEGF-C expression (P<0.01) and lymph node metastasis (P<0.01). The percentage of IMPC in the tumor was not associated with the incidence of lymph node metastasis. The metastatic foci in lymph nodes were either pure or predominant micropapillary carcinoma. CONCLUSION The results suggested that VEGF-C overexpression stimulated tumor lymphangiogenesis, and the increased lymphatic vessel density may be the key factor that influenced lymph node metastasis of IMPC.

Metastatic Lobular Carcinoma of the Breast Presenting with Small Bowel Metastases:Case Report and Literature Review

Introduction: Invasive lobular carcinoma (ILC) is the second most common histologic type of breast cancer, representing 5% to 15% of invasive tumors. ILC tends to spread to bones, lungs, central nervous system, reproductive organs, and the gastrointestinal tract (GI tract). The most commonly affected organs in the GI tract are the stomach, small intestine, followed by colon and rectum. Case presentation: A 78-year-old woman who was referred to our institution after having a bowel obstruction that required a diagnostic laparoscopy where they identified an obstructing ulcerative lesion in the distal ileum that was managed with a segmental bowel resection. Pathology report showed an invasive lobular breast carcinoma that occluded 90% of the bowel lumen. A PET/CT scan revealed a left breast tumor with increased metabolism. The patient was staged as a clinical cT4b, cN0, cM1 left breast invasive lobular carcinoma (ER/PgR positive, HER-2 negative). She was managed with endocrine therapy with Letrozole (an eight-week course). A follow-up PET/CT showed a peritoneal hypermetabolic nodule adjacent to the previous ileal anastomosis. The lesion decreased in size and metabolic activity. In a multidisciplinary fashion, the endocrine therapy was extended for another three months. Another follow-up PET/CT scan was performed three months after the identification of the peritoneal implant that showed that the nodule increased in size and in metabolism. The lesion continued to decrease significantly in size and became metabolically inactivity. Due to the good breast response and the possibility that the ileal nodule could be a granuloma, she underwent an exploratory laparoscopy with excision of the peritoneal nodule, and a modified left radical mastectomy with immediate breast reconstruction (complex wound closure). The final pathology report of the nodule was negative for malignancy. She continued on endocrine therapy and underwent whole breast irradiation four weeks after the operation. Currently, she is free of disease with no evidence of local, regional, or distant recurrence, and she is still on endocrine therapy. Discussion: The time interval between primary breast cancer and gastrointestinal involvement may range from synchronous presentation to as long as 30 years. The clinical manifestations in GI lobular breast cancer metastasis may range from non-specific complaints to acute GI symptoms, such as a bowel obstruction. There are multiple controversies in the management of ILC. Systemic treatment should be initiated as soon as possible. Indications for postmastectomy radiotherapy are also controversial, given the propensity for multifocal/multicentric tumors and late recurrences, sometimes in atypical locations. Five years of postoperative adjuvant hormonal therapy is an option for women with poor prognosis. Remissions are observed in 32% to 53% of patients. Conclusion: Metastatic lobular carcinoma of the breast has a wide range of clinical presentations. Patients with a history of breast cancer who present with new GI tumors should have these lesions evaluated for evidence of metastasis through histopathologic and immunohistochemical analysis, this will allow for appropriate management. Currently, breast cancer management involves a multidisciplinary approach including surgery, radiotherapy, and systemic medical therapy, and the treatment must be tailored to the patient’s needs.

Histological Grading in Ductal Carcinoma in Situ of the Breast

Objective: To study the significance of histological grading as a prognostic factor in ductal carcinoma in situ of the breast. Methods: According to the Van Nuy’s classification, 32 cases of ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) of the breast were divided into three groups. Results: Low grade (well differentiated, low grade DCIS) 12 patients (37.5%); Intermediate grade, 9 patients (28.1%); High grade (poorly differentiated DCIS) 11 patients (34.4%). Among the high grade DCIS, the histologic subtypes were comedo (9 patients), micropapillary (1 patient) and solid (1 patient). The positive expression of c-erbB-2, p53 and MIB-1 in high grade DCIS was higher than that in intermediate and low grade DCIS. The difference between high grade and low grade DCIS was significant (p<0.05). The expression of ER in high grade DCIS was lower than that in intermediate and low grade DCIS. Conclusions: Histological grading of breast ductal carcinoma in situ may be a good prognostic factor.

Ductal breast carcinoma metastasized to the rectum: A case report and review of the literature

BACKGROUND Gastrointestinal(GI)metastasis from breast cancer(BC)is rarely encountered in clinical practice.Nonspecific symptoms and long intervals make early diagnosis difficult.Therefore,increased awareness of GI metastasis secondary to BC and a deep understanding of the clinical and pathological features,and intervention for GI metastasis are fundamental to avoid delay in correct diagnosis and management.CASE SUMMARY The present report discusses the case of a Chinese female patient aged 36 years.The patient presented with difficult defecation along with bloody stools and hypogastralgia.In 2015,she had undergone right modified radical mastectomy and axillary lymph node dissection in another hospital to treat the infiltrating ductal breast carcinoma pT1N1M0.The presenting symptoms were investigated by colonoscopy,which indicated a circumferential stricture in the lower rectum at 3 cm from the anal edge.Further investigation with positron emission tomography-computed tomography revealed an uptake of fluorodeoxyglucose within the distal rectum as well as in the left acetabulum.The samples from laparoscopic exploration were biopsied,which revealed metastases of BC.Immunohistochemical analysis of the tumor confirmed that the patient had rectal metastasis of infiltrating ductal BC.CONCLUSION Rectal metastasis should be considered when patients with a history of BC present with changed bowel habits.

Gastrointestinal metastasis secondary to invasive lobular carcinoma of the breast:A case report

BACKGROUND Gastrointestinal metastasis of breast cancer is rare,and clinicians may not have previously encountered this disease in clinical practice.CASE SUMMARY We report a patient with invasive lobular carcinoma of the breast who developed gastrointestinal metastasis two years after modified radical surgery.Mild elevation of carbohydrate antigen 15-3 was observed in the patient at an early stage;however,diagnosis and treatment were delayed due to non-specific clinical manifestations and no identifiable metastasis observed on imaging.CONCLUSION Clinicians should pay attention to gastrointestinal metastasis of breast cancer,especially invasive lobular carcinoma of the breast.

Immunohistochemical analysis of 8 biomarkers on tissue microarray (TMA) of 46 Moroccan invasive breast carcinoma

Aim of the study: Immunohistochemical evaluation of hormone receptors, Her2/neu, CK5/6, E-cadherin, beta-catenin, p53 and PTEN on Tissue Micro Array (TMA) of 46 Moroccan invasive breast carcinomas. Materials and Methods: The cases comprised 40 invasive ductal carcinomas, 4 invasive lobular carcinomas, 1 mixed carcinoma and 1 invasive colloid carcinoma. TMA paraffin blocs were prepared with the Beecher manual arrayer and immunostaining was performed using standard immunoperoxidase techniques. Results: 58.69% of the cases were ER positive. 43.18% (19/44) were triple negative breast cancers (TNBC) of which 15.78% (3/19) were of the basal phenotype expressing CK5/6. On the other hand, 72.22% (13/18) of the TNBC cases were IDC grade 3. Of the 18 IDC grade 3, 22.22% (4/18) were CK5/6 positive. 41.30% and 10.86% of the cases showed reduced expression of E-cadherin and beta-catenin respectively. Beta-catenin nuclear and cytoplasmic staining was noted in 20% and 97.82% respectively. p53 was overexpressed in 10.86% of the cases whereas PTEN loss or reduced expression was noted in 86.95% of the cases. Conclusion: The aim of our study was to introduce TMA technique in our hospital which is considered a reference institution for cancer in Morocco. Although no statistical study was performed to look for any significance of the results obtained, we found good correlation with some of the data in the literature. To determine the molecular characteristics, if any, of the Moroccan patient, larger multidisciplinary and prospective studies would be interesting in the aim to personalize therapeutic decisions.