CASE SERIES OF METAPLASTIC CARCINOMA OF BREAST IN A TERTIARY CARE CENTER OF ROHILKHAND REGION

Abstract

Metaplastic carcinoma of breast is a rare, high-grade subtype of invasive breast carcinoma, accounting for less than 1% of all breast malignancies. It is characterized by a heterogeneous composition of both epithelial and mesenchymal elements and is typically triple-negative for hormonal receptors, making its management particularly challenging.

Aim: We aimed to describe the clinicopathological characteristics of metaplastic carcinoma of breast diagnosed over a two-year period at the Department of Pathology, SRMS IMS, with a focus on histological subtypes and immunohistochemical (IHC) patterns.

Methods: This retrospective observational case series was conducted in the Department of Pathology, SRMS IMS, Bareilly, after approval from the Institutional Ethics Committee. Seven histologically confirmed cases of Metaplastic carcinoma were included. Clinical data, histopathological features, and IHC profiles were reviewed from departmental archives. All patients provided informed consent. Parameters evaluated included age, tumour laterality, size, histological differentiation, and IHC markers (ER, PR, HER2/neu, PanCK, P63, SMA, CK7, and P40, P63, Vimentin). Descriptive analysis was performed. No formal statistical test was applied due to the limited sample size.

Results: All patients were female, with ages ranging from 35 to 58 years (mean: 48 years). Right-sided involvement was more common. Tumour sizes ranged from 10 cm to 30 cm. Spindle cell was the predominant histologic pattern (3 cases) followed by Heterologous Mesenchymal differentiation, Squamous Cell, Low Grade Adenosquamous, Mixed Metaplastic Carcinoma (1 each).

Conclusion: Metaplastic carcinoma is a morphologically diverse, aggressive neoplasm requiring accurate histopathological subtyping and IHC correlation for diagnosis.