Syringomatous carcinoma of the breast
Syringomatous breast carcinoma is part of a group of neoplasms which are characterized by local infiltrative growth, but generally an absence of metastasis. Syringomatous breast carcinoma is considered a low-grade tumor, and it tends to occur later in life, with most cases developing in the 60’s.
Syringomatous carcinoma of the breast is also commonly referred to as ‘low grade‘ adenosquamous carcinoma of the breast. These tumors are generally composed of angulated glands which are located in desmoplastic breast stroma. A syringomatous breast carcinoma might be considered a more serious or ‘evolved‘ presentation of a syringomatous nipple adenoma, which has become cancerous. Syringomatous carcinoma of the breast is very uncommon, and is considered a rare variant of metaplastic breast carcinoma.
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Syringomatous breast carcinomas can also evolve out of an intraductal papillary tumor. They have also been associated with ductal adenomas, radial scars, and sclerosing adenosis. Basically, syringomatous breast carcinoma is the breast counterpart of similar skin tumors which are known by various names, including syringomatous carcinoma, microcystic adnexal carcinoma, sclerosing duct carcinoma or sweat gland carcinoma. There is also a common and in salivary gland carcinoma which is referred to as syringomatous carcinoma.
Syringomatous breast carcinomas contain a certain amount of myoepithelial cells features
A metaplastic breast carcinoma is one in which there is a combination of epithelial and myoepithelial cells involved, and sometimes immature cells which seem to be a combination of the two. Myoepithelial cells are a normal anatomical feature of the breast duct mechanism, and they are normally located between the epithelial cells and the basal lamina of secretory elements of exocrine glands.
In other words, the myoepithelial cells provide the muscle or ‘moving power‘ which helps the glands secrete the milk into the ducts. So a syringomatous breast carcinoma is one in which there is a certain degree of ‘myoepithelial cell‘ differentiation, indicating the involvement, genetically, of these myoepithelial cells and not just the ductal epithelial cells most commonly associated with breast cancers.
Histological features of syringomatous carcinoma of the breast
Histologically, a syringomatous breast carcinoma will often be composed of small tubules, often dilated, and occasionally with a “tadpole” appearance. These tubules are typically line by flattened epithelial cells, and often surrounded by keratinizing squamous cysts embedded in a desmoplastic stroma. In fact, in syringomatous breast carcinoma the neoplastic glands are usually surrounded by a double layer of epithelial and myoepithelial cells.
Outlook for syringomatous breast cancer is very good
A syringomatous breast carcinoma is not a serious diagnosis. It is a mild form of breast cancer which does recur locally with conservative treatments, but is generally not a threat to metastasize. However, metastasis has been known to occur after 10 or even 20 years, so it is important to have routine follow-up when treating syringomatous breast carcinoma.
Everything you need to pretty much know is all listed in the above information. For further reading on breast cancer, breast tumors and such, I suggest you visit this page.
References
- Urso C. Syringomatous breast carcinoma and correlated lesions. Pathologica. 1996 Jun;88(3):196-9.
- Foschini, MP, Eusebi, V. Carcinomas of the breast showing myoepithelial cell differentiation A review of the literature. Virchows Archiv Volume 432, Number 4, 303-310.
- Rosen PP (1983) Syringomatous adenoma of the nipple. Am J Surg Pathol 7:739–745
- Rosen PP, Ernsberger D (1987) Low-grade adenosquamous carcinoma. A variant of metaplastic mammary carcinoma. Am J Surg Pathol 11:351–358
- Oo, HZ, Xiao, PQ Infiltrating Syringomatous Adenoma of the Nipple: Clinical Presentation and Literature Review. Archives of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine: September 2009, Vol. 133, No. 9, pp. 1487-1489.
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