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Primary Breast Tumors with Mesenchymal Morphology
Manvir S Tevatia1, Prabhashankar Mishra1, Ajay K Baranwal1
1Department of Pathology, Command Hospital, Pune, Maharashtra, India.
Journal of Laboratory Physicians
|January 3, 2022
Summary
Mesenchymal breast tumors are rare. Immunohistochemistry markers like E-cadherin, p53, and β-catenin help identify epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in metaplastic breast carcinomas.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Pathology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Mesenchymal tumors of the breast are uncommon, and distinguishing them from epithelial tumors with mesenchymal components is crucial for accurate diagnosis.
- Identifying the histogenesis of these rare tumors can be challenging, necessitating the use of specific markers.
Purpose of the Study:
- To categorize breast lesions exhibiting mesenchymal morphology.
- To investigate the expression of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) markers using immunohistochemistry (IHC).
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 510 breast specimens from January 2015 to December 2019.
- Inclusion of lesions with mesenchymal/nonepithelial morphology; exclusion of specific benign and malignant tumors.
- Immunohistochemistry (IHC) performed for p53, E-cadherin, and β-catenin.
Main Results:
- Thirteen (2.5%) specimens showed mesenchymal histology, including metaplastic breast carcinomas (MBCs) and phyllodes tumors (PTs).
- Loss of E-cadherin was observed in 80% of MBCs and retained in PTs.
- p53 expression was noted in 60% of MBCs, and aberrant β-catenin was found in all MBCs.
Conclusions:
- Breast tumors with mesenchymal morphology represent a diverse spectrum from benign to malignant neoplasms.
- Loss of E-cadherin, p53 expression, and aberrant β-catenin suggest EMT and molecular heterogeneity in MBCs.
