The development of a simple protocol for successful inking of surgical margins with easily accessible colouring agents

[摘要] Introduction and objectives: Metaplastic breast carcinoma (MBC) is a rare, aggressive entityaccounting for less than 1% of breast malignancies. It is characterized by the differentiation ofneoplastic cells towards squamous and/or mesenchymal elements and has a poor prognosis due to itstriple-negative status. The objective of the study was to analyse the clinicopathological characteristicsof MBC in a tertiary care setting.Method: The records of all cases diagnosed with MBC within one year (02/2020- 02/2021) at the Unitwere reviewed.Results: Out of 88 breast malignancies diagnosed during the period, five were MBC (5.68%). The meanage at presentation was 47 years (34-62). All MBC presented as painless lumps and were BIRADS 5 onradiology. The mean tumour size was 52 mm (25-95). All tumours were of histological grade 3. Fourwere biphasic tumours, while one was monophasic with pure squamous elements. Squamous (4/5),sarcomatoid (3/5), rhabdoid (1/5) and chondroid (1/5) areas were seen. Two tumours had invasivecarcinoma of no special type (NST) elements, 40% and 70%, respectively. None had lymphovascularor perineural invasion. Two (2/5) patients had axillary node involvement at presentation. The meanNPI was 5.6 (4.5-7.2). Four (4/5) tumours were triple-negative, while one showed hormone receptorpositivity. One patient developed a local recurrence after 10 months, following eight cycles ofchemotherapy.Discussion and conclusion: MBC in our setting appears to show a higher incidence and a younger ageat presentation. As the data available from our study is limited, we need to study a larger series ofpatients with survival data for better understanding of the behaviour of this aggressive breast cancer.

[学科分类] 生理学与病理学