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When Something Seems Amiss: Radiology-Pathology Correlation of Metaplastic Breast Cancer
Sonia Andreou1, Erik Soule2, Deidra Long3
1Surgery, University of Florida College of Medicine, Jacksonville, USA.
Cureus
|June 26, 2020
Summary
Metaplastic breast cancer is aggressive and challenging to diagnose. A high index of suspicion and multidisciplinary approach are crucial for timely diagnosis and improved survival outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Radiology
- Pathology
Background:
- Metaplastic breast cancer (MBC) presents diagnostic challenges due to its aggressive biology and resistance to conventional therapies.
- Early and accurate diagnosis is critical for effective management of this rare malignancy.
Observation:
- Discordance between imaging findings and histopathology, especially with rapidly growing complex lesions, necessitates further investigation.
- Negative biopsy results for aggressive-appearing lesions may indicate sampling bias from intratumoral heterogeneity, warranting consideration for excisional biopsy.
Findings:
- Metaplastic breast cancer exhibits resistance to neoadjuvant chemotherapy.
- Immunotherapy shows potential efficacy, even in metastatic settings.
Implications:
- A multidisciplinary approach and heightened clinical suspicion are vital for improving survival in metaplastic breast cancer.
- Timely and accurate diagnosis, potentially including excisional biopsy, can overcome challenges posed by imaging-pathology discordance and intratumoral heterogeneity.
