Primary neuroendocrine tumors of the breast: two case reports and review of the literature
Abstract Background Neuroendocrine carcinomas mainly affect the bronchopulmonary and the gastrointestinal systems. Breast localizations are very rare. They represent less than 0.1% of all breast cancers. A definitive diagnosis relies on histological and immunohistochemical examinations. Case present...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2020-03-01
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| Series: | Journal of Medical Case Reports |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s13256-020-02361-5 |
| _version_ | 1811222901016231936 |
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| author | Loubna Hejjane Karima Oualla Zineb Bouchbika Mouna Bourhafour Anas Lhlou Mimi Efared Boubacar Abdellatif Benider Zineb Benbrahim Samia Aarifi Nawef Mellas |
| author_facet | Loubna Hejjane Karima Oualla Zineb Bouchbika Mouna Bourhafour Anas Lhlou Mimi Efared Boubacar Abdellatif Benider Zineb Benbrahim Samia Aarifi Nawef Mellas |
| author_sort | Loubna Hejjane |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Neuroendocrine carcinomas mainly affect the bronchopulmonary and the gastrointestinal systems. Breast localizations are very rare. They represent less than 0.1% of all breast cancers. A definitive diagnosis relies on histological and immunohistochemical examinations. Case presentation Case 1 We report a case of primary neuroendocrine carcinoma of the breast in a 71-year-old Arabic woman who presented with a 3 cm palpable and mobile tumor of the right breast. Clinical and radiological assessment excluded any other primary tumor. Radical mastectomy and axillary lymph node resection were performed. A histopathological examination disclosed the diagnosis of primary breast neuroendocrine tumors, with negative surgical margins and lymph nodes (18 N-/18 N). The tumor cells were positive for neuroendocrine markers, a weak Ki-67 proliferation index and negative Her2/neu. Our patient received adjuvant hormonal treatment with anti-aromatase for 21 months. She is on regular follow-up, and she remains free of disease to date. Case 2 A 48-year-old Arabic woman consulted for a right breast nodule. She underwent lumpectomy with right axillary lymphadenectomy. The diagnosis was breast neuroendocrine tumor. Systemic treatment was proposed, but she was lost to follow-up. She consulted 1 year later for a mass in the same breast. A histological and immunohistochemical examination of a mammary biopsy was consistent with a recurrence of the previous neuroendocrine tumor. A radiological assessment showed a large mass in her right breast, ipsilateral axillary lymphadenopathies, and hepatic and pulmonary metastases. She received first-line metastatic chemotherapy, with good clinical and radiological improvement. She refused the mastectomy and was given hormone therapy. One year later, the tumor expanded clinically and radiologically, and she underwent second-line metastatic chemotherapy, with good clinical progress and radiological stability, and she then underwent maintenance hormonal therapy. Conclusion Due to the rarity of primary breast neuroendocrine tumors, no standard therapy exists and the prognosis remains difficult to determine. Studies, including larger series, are needed in order to understand the biological behavior of these tumors. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-12T08:22:42Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-034371f9d9b54d98a3926584936cfba3 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1752-1947 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-12T08:22:42Z |
| publishDate | 2020-03-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Journal of Medical Case Reports |
| spelling | doaj.art-034371f9d9b54d98a3926584936cfba32022-12-22T03:40:29ZengBMCJournal of Medical Case Reports1752-19472020-03-011411610.1186/s13256-020-02361-5Primary neuroendocrine tumors of the breast: two case reports and review of the literatureLoubna Hejjane0Karima Oualla1Zineb Bouchbika2Mouna Bourhafour3Anas Lhlou Mimi4Efared Boubacar5Abdellatif Benider6Zineb Benbrahim7Samia Aarifi8Nawef Mellas9Mohammed VI Center for Cancer Treatment, Ibn Rochd University HospitalDepartment of Oncology Medical, Hassan II University HospitalMohammed VI Center for Cancer Treatment, Ibn Rochd University HospitalMohammed VI Center for Cancer Treatment, Ibn Rochd University HospitalDepartment of Radiology, Hassan II University HospitalDepartment of Pathology, Hassan II University HospitalMohammed VI Center for Cancer Treatment, Ibn Rochd University HospitalDepartment of Oncology Medical, Hassan II University HospitalDepartment of Oncology Medical, Hassan II University HospitalDepartment of Oncology Medical, Hassan II University HospitalAbstract Background Neuroendocrine carcinomas mainly affect the bronchopulmonary and the gastrointestinal systems. Breast localizations are very rare. They represent less than 0.1% of all breast cancers. A definitive diagnosis relies on histological and immunohistochemical examinations. Case presentation Case 1 We report a case of primary neuroendocrine carcinoma of the breast in a 71-year-old Arabic woman who presented with a 3 cm palpable and mobile tumor of the right breast. Clinical and radiological assessment excluded any other primary tumor. Radical mastectomy and axillary lymph node resection were performed. A histopathological examination disclosed the diagnosis of primary breast neuroendocrine tumors, with negative surgical margins and lymph nodes (18 N-/18 N). The tumor cells were positive for neuroendocrine markers, a weak Ki-67 proliferation index and negative Her2/neu. Our patient received adjuvant hormonal treatment with anti-aromatase for 21 months. She is on regular follow-up, and she remains free of disease to date. Case 2 A 48-year-old Arabic woman consulted for a right breast nodule. She underwent lumpectomy with right axillary lymphadenectomy. The diagnosis was breast neuroendocrine tumor. Systemic treatment was proposed, but she was lost to follow-up. She consulted 1 year later for a mass in the same breast. A histological and immunohistochemical examination of a mammary biopsy was consistent with a recurrence of the previous neuroendocrine tumor. A radiological assessment showed a large mass in her right breast, ipsilateral axillary lymphadenopathies, and hepatic and pulmonary metastases. She received first-line metastatic chemotherapy, with good clinical and radiological improvement. She refused the mastectomy and was given hormone therapy. One year later, the tumor expanded clinically and radiologically, and she underwent second-line metastatic chemotherapy, with good clinical progress and radiological stability, and she then underwent maintenance hormonal therapy. Conclusion Due to the rarity of primary breast neuroendocrine tumors, no standard therapy exists and the prognosis remains difficult to determine. Studies, including larger series, are needed in order to understand the biological behavior of these tumors.http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s13256-020-02361-5Neuroendocrine carcinomaBreast cancerCase reportChromograninImmunohistochemistry |
| spellingShingle | Loubna Hejjane Karima Oualla Zineb Bouchbika Mouna Bourhafour Anas Lhlou Mimi Efared Boubacar Abdellatif Benider Zineb Benbrahim Samia Aarifi Nawef Mellas Primary neuroendocrine tumors of the breast: two case reports and review of the literature Journal of Medical Case Reports Neuroendocrine carcinoma Breast cancer Case report Chromogranin Immunohistochemistry |
| title | Primary neuroendocrine tumors of the breast: two case reports and review of the literature |
| title_full | Primary neuroendocrine tumors of the breast: two case reports and review of the literature |
| title_fullStr | Primary neuroendocrine tumors of the breast: two case reports and review of the literature |
| title_full_unstemmed | Primary neuroendocrine tumors of the breast: two case reports and review of the literature |
| title_short | Primary neuroendocrine tumors of the breast: two case reports and review of the literature |
| title_sort | primary neuroendocrine tumors of the breast two case reports and review of the literature |
| topic | Neuroendocrine carcinoma Breast cancer Case report Chromogranin Immunohistochemistry |
| url | http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s13256-020-02361-5 |
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