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A rare ER-positive secretory breast carcinoma: diagnostic challenges and surgical treatment

  • 0Department of Emergency Medicine, Nepalese Army Institute of Health Sciences, Kathmandu, Nepal.
Annals of Medicine and Surgery (2012) +

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August 11, 2025

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August 11, 2025

View abstract on PubMed

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Secretory breast carcinoma (SBC) is a rare, slow-growing cancer linked to ETV6-NTRK3 translocations. Despite a triple-negative profile, it has a favorable prognosis and low metastasis risk, often treated with surgery.

Area Of Science

  • Oncology
  • Genetics
  • Pathology

Background

  • Secretory breast carcinoma (SBC) is a rare subtype of breast cancer, accounting for less than 1% of all cases.
  • It is characterized by the ETV6-NTRK3 gene translocation and typically exhibits a triple-negative molecular profile (estrogen receptor [ER]-negative, progesterone receptor [PR]-negative, and Human Epidermal growth factor Receptor 2 [HER2]-negative).

Observation

  • A 47-year-old woman presented with a palpable lump and bloody nipple discharge.
  • Sonomammography indicated BIRADS-4 cystic lesions, and biopsy confirmed low-grade secretory carcinoma.
  • The tumor was ER-positive, PR-negative, and HER2-negative.

Findings

  • Histopathological examination post-mastectomy revealed clear surgical margins and no lymph node involvement.
  • Secretory breast carcinoma, while often triple-negative, can show variable hormone receptor expression.
  • The case highlights the importance of genetic confirmation (ETV6-NTRK translocation) for accurate SBC diagnosis.

Implications

  • SBC generally has a good prognosis and a less aggressive clinical course compared to other triple-negative breast cancers.
  • Treatment strategies, including the extent of lymph node dissection, are guided by the low metastatic potential of SBC.
  • Targeted therapies, such as Tropomyosin receptor kinase (TRK) inhibitors, represent a promising avenue for managing NTRK fusion-positive cancers like SBC.

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