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Metaplastic carcinomas of the breast
Author(s) -
Chao TzuChieh,
Wang ChiaSiu,
Chen ShinCheh,
Chen MiinFu
Publication year - 1999
Publication title -
journal of surgical oncology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.201
H-Index - 111
eISSN - 1096-9098
pISSN - 0022-4790
DOI - 10.1002/(sici)1096-9098(199908)71:4<220::aid-jso3>3.0.co;2-l
Subject(s) - medicine , oncology , general surgery , mastectomy , metaplastic carcinoma , gynecology , breast cancer , cancer
Background and Objectives Metaplastic carcinomas of the breast are rare neoplasms. The purpose of the present study is to better characterize the clinical course, treatment, and prognostic factors of metaplastic breast carcinomas. Methods Data of 14 patients with metaplastic breast carcinoma were retrospectively reviewed. The follow‐up period ranged from 2 months to 10 years, 10 months (median 4.3 years). Results The patients' ages ranged from 38 to 66 years (median 50.5 years). The tumors were 2.5 to 18 cm (median 4.8 cm) in size. Seven patients had axillary nodal metastases at the time of diagnosis. Estrogen and progesterone receptors were positive in only one tumor. Twelve patients underwent modified radical mastectomy and two patients underwent incisional biopsy. Adjuvant chemotherapy was administered to six patients, and radiotherapy to two patients after mastectomy. Two patients received preoperative chemotherapy. Seven patients were living without evidence of disease at a median of 7.3 years after surgery. A patient died of ovarian carcinoma without recurrence or metastasis of breast cancer. Metastases occurred in five patients at 4 to 16 months (median 8 months) after initial treatment. Duration of symptoms, TNM stage, tumor size, and axillary nodal status were significant prognostic factors of survival. Conclusions The patients with metaplastic breast carcinomas may have a favorable prognosis. J. Surg. Oncol. 1999:71:220–225. © 1999 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.