Pathological features of mucinous carcinoma of the breast are favourable for breast-conserving therapy.
OBJECTIVE
The effectiveness of breast-conserving therapy for mucinous carcinoma has not been well documented. We examined clinical and pathological features of cases to determine whether patients with mucinous carcinoma were suitable candidates for this treatment.


METHODS
Cases of pure type (n=52) and mixed type (n=24) mucinous carcinomas were reviewed with emphasis on the risk factors associated with local recurrences after breast-conserving therapy.


RESULTS
Large pure mucinous carcinomas had a low incidence of extensive intraductal spreading (EIS). An inverse correlation existed between the incidence of EIS and tumour size (P<0.05). Comedo type EIS was infrequent (11%) in pure mucinous carcinoma. Incidences of lymphatic vessel invasion (4%) and nodal involvement (4%) were lower in pure mucinous carcinoma than in mixed carcinoma (P<0.05). No nodal involvement occurred in patients with pure mucinous carcinoma less than 3 cm in diameter.


CONCLUSIONS
Patients with pure mucinous carcinomas, except those invading the local skin, are suitable candidates for breast-conserving therapy. Most pure mucinous carcinomas, including a large tumour up to 5 cm in diameter, can be treated with this therapy.
Anan
K
K
Department of Surgery, Kitakyushu Municipal Medical Centre, Kitakyushu, Fukuoka 802-0077, Japan.
Mitsuyama
S
S
Tamae
K
K
Nishihara
K
K
Iwashita
T
T
Abe
Y
Y
Ihara
T
T
Nakahara
S
S
Katsumoto
F
F
Toyoshima
S
S
D002288:Adenocarcinoma, Mucinous / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology* / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000601:surgery*; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology* / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000601:surgery*; D018572:Disease-Free Survival; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007564:Japan; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D008297:Male; D015412:Mastectomy, Segmental; D008875:Middle Aged; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000517:prevention & control; D011379:Prognosis; D012042:Registries; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome