YO8 - Carcinosarcoma of the Breast in a Filipino Female: A Case Report

Case summary

Carcinosarcoma of the breast is an aggressive, malignant biphasic neoplasm. It is comprised of carcinomatous and sarcomatous elements and accounts for 0.08–0.2% of all breast malignancies. Due to the rarity of this disease, it remains poorly understood and infrequently reported. Here we present a case of a 38 year old Filipino woman with a 2 month history of mass in her left breast. Progressive enlargement of the mass warranted excisional biopsy and revealed high grade carcinoma. Metastatic work up were unremarkable. Thus, the patient underwent modified radical mastectomy. Histopathology revealed metaplastic carcinoma, carcinosarcoma type with background of ductal carcinoma in-situ, nuclear grade 1 with no definite lymphovascular space invasion. All 12 lymph nodes were negative for tumor but nipple was positive for tumor. Immunohistochemistry report revealed positive for ER, PR and negative for HER2/Neu overexpression. Furthermore, tumor cells were positive for pancytokeratin in carcinomatous areas and vimentin in sarcomatous areas. The patient is receiving hormonal therapy and remains to be asymptomatic and on close surveillance.

A multi-disciplinary approach with an accurate diagnosis are essential to optimally tailor potentially effective treatment options in this kind of patients. To date, there is no standardized treatment protocol for the management of carcinosarcoma of the breast. Long-term follow-up is important because of the increased likelihood of local recurrence and metastasis.

Clinical trial identification

Editorial acknowledgement