Breast tall cell carcinoma with reversed polarity with an unusual molecular profile

Abstract

Breast tall cell carcinoma with reversed polarity (TCCRP) is rare and previously referred to as solid papillary carcinoma with reverse polarity. This low grade tumor commonly exhibits IDH2 p.Arg172 mutation, however is not completely understood at the molecular level. We present a case of TCCRP in a 55 year old woman with a 0.7 cm left breast mass. A core biopsy was performed with immunohistochemistry. Lumpectomy and sentinel lymph node biopsy were completed two months later. MammaPrint^® and BluePrint^® gene expression profilers were performed on an excision block. Microscopically, the tumor was composed of circumscribed nests of columnar cells, with focal papillary architecture. Tumor cells had apically located nuclei with grooves and rare inclusions. Tumor cells were positive for CK5, IDH1/2, and calretinin, and myoepithelial cells were absent. BluePrint^® subtyped the tumor as basaloid. MammaPrint^® classified the tumor as high risk for metastasis. TCCRP presents a diagnostic challenge. Although these rare breast carcinomas are generally reported to have an indolent clinical course, molecular analysis by gene expression profiling classified this tumor as high risk of recurrence with a basaloid type. Therefore, molecular analysis of this tumor may lead to conflicting data regarding prognosis and treatment considerations. Clinicians and patients should weigh published data and individual prognostic information for treatment planning. Our patient and clinical team opted for radiation without chemotherapy. More cases of TCCRP need to be studied to better understand its molecular profile.

Keywords

Breast tall cell carcinoma with reversed polarity / Molecular

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

The biopsy block and slides were sent for consultation (Dr. Stuart Schnitt, Harvard/Brigham and Women’s Hospital where immunohistochemistry for calretinin and IDH1/2 was performed).

CONFLICTS OF INTEREST DISCLOSURE

The authors declare that they have no competing interests.

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