Clinicopathological Analysis of 117 Female Patients Diagnosed with Pure Mucinous Breast Cancer
Abstract
Background: Mucinous breast cancer is a rare entity that accounts for 1%-4% of all breast cancers and is classified as pure mucinous breast carcinoma (PMBC) when extracellular mucin is >90%. This study aims to investigate the clinicopathological parameters in PMBC that may help understand tumor biology and clinical outcomes.
Methods: 117 female patients diagnosed with PMBC are identified in this descriptive study. Corresponding clinicopathological parameters are investigated and compared with prognostic factors.
Results: The mean age is 53.1 years, 54.7% are postmenopausal. 37.5% underwent SLND and 52.7% axillary dissection. 53.4% have pT2 disease, and 27.7% have metastatic lymph nodes. Lung (n=10) and bone (n=9) are the most common distant metastatic sites. MRM (44.3%) and BCS (41.5%) are common surgical procedures. Adjuvant therapy (88%), endocrine therapy (89.7%), chemotherapy (39.3%), and radiotherapy (60%) are common after surgery. KI-67 is higher in patients who received chemotherapy (p=0.005). Tumors are positive for ER (90.5%) and PR (79.3%) and less likely to stain with HER2 (11%). Of 38, 44.7% are luminal A, 55.3% are luminal B (unknown HER2 (n=7) and KI67 (n=72)).
Conclusion: PMBC is a rare entity seen in older women. Tumors can be seen in various sizes and are usually ER/PR-positive and HER2-negative, with low nodal and distant metastasis rates. Even though it is infrequent, PMBC tends to metastasize to the lung and bone. Radiotherapy and endocrine therapy following BCS or MRM are preferred. Multigene assays guide systemic therapy in ER+/HER2- early-stage breast cancer; however, data on their application in PMBC and MBC remain limited.
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