Metaplastic breast cancer: an all-round multidisciplinary consensus

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Pathology
• Radiology

Background:

• Metaplastic breast cancer (MpBC) is a rare, aggressive breast cancer (BC) subtype with mixed epithelial and mesenchymal components.
• MpBC is often triple-negative (TNBC) but exhibits chemoresistance and worse outcomes than non-special type (NST) TNBC.
• Current management of MpBC is often based on general BC guidelines, necessitating specific strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To establish an expert consensus for the diagnosis and clinical management of early-stage Metaplastic breast cancer.
• To address the diagnostic challenges in radiology and pathology for MpBC.
• To explore genetic predisposition and novel therapeutic strategies for MpBC.

Main Methods:

• Expert consensus development involving multidisciplinary specialists.
• Review of current evidence on MpBC diagnosis, genetics, and treatment.
• Formulation of recommendations for radiological and pathological diagnosis.
• Guidance on surgical, radiotherapeutic, and novel therapeutic approaches.

Main Results:

• MpBC presents unique diagnostic challenges requiring specialized radiological and pathological assessment.
• Genetic predisposition may play a role in MpBC development.
• A multidisciplinary approach is crucial for optimal MpBC management.
• Novel therapeutic strategies show promise for improving treatment response in chemoresistant MpBC.

Conclusions:

• Standardized diagnostic and management guidelines are urgently needed for early Metaplastic breast cancer.
• A multidisciplinary team approach incorporating novel therapies can improve outcomes for MpBC patients.
• Effective management is critical to mitigate the high risk of recurrence in Metaplastic breast cancer.