title: Breast carcinoma with osteoclast-like giant cells: immunohistochemical and ultrastructural study of a case and review of the literature.
abstract: We describe an unusual case of infiltrating ductal carcinoma, not otherwise specified, containing numerous benign stromal osteoclast giant cells (OGCs). Macroscopically, the tumor appeared as a well-outlined dark brown mass and was initially interpreted as a benign lesion on the mammograms. OGCs were uniformly distributed in the tumor and were found in vascularized, hemorrhagic stroma often abutted on the nests of tumor cells. Electron microscopy supported a histiocytic origin of the OGCs, but immunohistochemistry failed to confirm the observation. The patient was alive and well 30 months following the operation. A review of the literature concerning breast carcinoma with OGCs is also presented.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Pathology, University of Pisa, Italy.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Viacava
authors.forename: A G
authors.initials: AG
authors.lastname: Naccarato
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Nardini
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Bevilacqua
mesh_terms: D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D018270:Carcinoma, Ductal, Breast / Q000473:pathology* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D005260:Female; D015726:Giant Cells / Q000473:pathology* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008875:Middle Aged; D010010:Osteoclasts