Lymphoepithelioma-like breast carcinoma.

Nasopharyngeal lymphoepithelioma is an undifferentiated carcinoma in a dominated lymphoplasma-histiocyte stroma. Lymphoepithelioma-like carcinoma of the breast is the mammary counterpart of the lymphoepithelioma of the nasopharynx and is characterised by proliferation of poorly differentiated malignant cells within a prominent lymphoid infiltrate. It is a very rare primary carcinoma of the breast first reported in 1994 by Kumar and Kumar. Fewer than 40 cases have been reported in the English literature. In this manuscript a case of lymphoepithelioma-like carcinoma of the breast in a 57-year-old patient is reported along with a literature review on this rare entity.

Serum Concentration of Selected Angiogenesis-Related Molecules Differs among Molecular Subtypes, Body Mass Index and Menopausal Status in Breast Cancer Patients.

BACKGROUND: Angiogenesis is a hallmark of breast cancer (BC) and is mediated by the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) signaling axis. It is regulated by different proangiogenic factors, including platelet-derived growth factor-CC (PDGF-CC) and heparin-binding EGF-like growth factor (HB-EGF), as well as co-receptors, such as neuropilin-1, which could have prognostic implications in BC patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We assessed the serum levels of VEGF, HB-EGF, PDGF-CC and neuropilin-1 in 205 patients with early BC (invasive, n = 187; in situ, n = 18) and in 31 healthy donors (HD) and investigated the potential associations with clinical and histopathological parameters. RESULTS: VEGF serum levels were significantly higher in patients with invasive versus ductal carcinomas in situ. PDGF-CC serum concentrations varied among BC molecular subtypes. Furthermore, we observed a differential expression of most biomarkers between overweight/obese (body mass index (BMI) ≥ 25 kg/m2) and non-obese patients among the BC molecular subtypes. Finally, the classification of subjects according to menopausal status revealed a significant difference in specific biomarker levels between patients and HD. CONCLUSION: The serum concentrations of angiogenic molecules differ among breast cancer molecular subtypes and are affected by the BMI and menopausal status, which could have possible clinical or prognostic implications.

Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans of the breast: A case study.

Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans (DFSP) is a superficial mesenchymal neoplasm that originates from the dermal fibroblasts and tends to be locally aggressive. Although infrequent, it is one of the most common cutaneous sarcomas. It mainly affects young and middle-aged patients 20 to 50 years old. Any area of skin may be involved, but the most common sites of presentation are the trunk and extremities. DFSP of the breast is extremely rare. It classically presents as a nodular, exophytic, cutaneous mass, though initially it can manifest as a flat plague and can show persistent but slow growth for many years. Due to increased risk of local recurrence, the standard of care for localized disease is surgical excision with adequate margins. Wide local excision is the most common technique used, but as an alternative Mohs micrographic surgery has emerged as a procedure that offers lower local recurrence rates. Metastases are rare but have been previously reported. In such patients, treatment with imatinib or radiotherapy can be considered. The current case presents a 52-year-old lady with DFSP of the breast that was successfully managed by the Breast Unit of Athens Medical Center-Psychiko Clinic.

HPV infection and breast cancer. Results of a microarray approach.

OBJECTIVES: Human papilloma virus (HPV) has been implicated in several types of epithelial cancer. The role of HPV in breast carcinogenesis has been a matter of debate fueled by conflicting reports in recent years. The aim of this study is to identify the prevalence of breast and cervical HPV infection in cancer patients by using a modern microarray approach. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In the present prospective study, 201 breast cancer patients were included. For each patient a detailed medical history was taken and during the operation, under sterile conditions, samples were collected, from the tumour, the healthy adjacent breast tissue and any positive sentinel lymph nodes. In addition, for each patient a cervical sample was also collected. All samples were analysed for DNA of 24 types of HPV using a microarray technique. RESULTS: Despite the high sensitivity of the technique used, no HPV DNA was identified in any of the breast or lymph node samples. Our analysis showed that patients with HPV positive cervical samples (28 cases) were more likely to have tumors with positive progesterone receptors (p=0.041) and were also more likely to have two or three positive lymph nodes (p=0.002). CONCLUSION: In the present study, a combination of careful sample collection and a very sensitive microarray approach showed no correlation between HPV and breast cancer. However some characteristics of the breast tumors were different among patients with HPV DNA in their cervical samples.

The Prognostic Significance of Hsp70/Hsp90 Expression in Breast Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND/AIM: Studies have focused on heat shock protein (Hsp) inhibitors as potential treatment agents in breast cancer, with controversial results. Adopting a pathophysiological perspective, this systematic review aims to synthesize the evidence examining the association between Hsp70/Hsp90 expression and breast cancer prognosis, as well as prognosis-related clinicopathological indices. Secondarily, changes in Hsp70/Hsp90 expression in the continuum of breast neoplasia were assessed. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Hsp70/Hsp90 expression was approached globally, quantified by means of immunohistochemistry, western blot or PCR. This study was performed in accordance with the PRISMA guidelines. Relevant studies were sought in PubMed, up to December 31, 2015. RESULTS: A total of 23 eligible studies were identified (7,288 breast cancer cases). High Hsp90 expre s sion was associated with worse overall survival (pooled RR=1.48, 95%CI=1.21-1.82) and marginally with worse disease-free survival. High Hsp70 expression also correlated with worse disease-free survival (pooled RR=1.77, 95%CI=1.71-2.82). Hsp70 intense expression correlated with ER positivity (pooled OR=3.51, 95%CI=1.31-9.40) and PR positivity (pooled OR=2.48, 95%CI=1.39-4.44). No significant associations were noted between Hsp70/Hsp90 expression and clinicopathological variables including histological grade, tumor size, nodal metastasis or patient age at diagnosis. No clear pattern emerged for Hsp70/Hsp90 expression along the breast neoplasia continuum. CONCLUSION: This systematic review and meta-analysis highlights the prognostic role of Hsp90 and Hsp70 expression in breast cancer. Further high-quality studies, with detailed reporting are needed to provide epidemiological evidence complementing the findings of ongoing clinical trials on Hsp inhibitors.