Immunophenotypes of glycogen rich clear cell carcinoma.
OBJECTIVE
Glycogen rich clear cell carcinoma (GRCC) of the breast is a rare subtype of invasive ductal carcinoma and involves a poor prognosis. In the literature, less than 150 cases have been reported. Many researchers have attempted to characterize GRCC according to electron microscope, flow cytometry, or clinical data. However, an organized study of the immunophenotype of GRCC has yet to be reported.


METHODS
Here, we present three cases of GRCC and their immunohistochemical profiles.


RESULTS
Histologically, all three cases contained periodic acid stain (PAS) positive and d-PAS labile granules in their clear cytoplasm. Case I showed positivity for only estrogen receptor (ER) and c-erbB2. Case II exhibited positivity for progesterone receptor and negativity for ER and c-erbB2. Case III presented with triple negative invasive carcinoma. The expression pattern of E-cadherin was concordant with epidermal growth factor receptor and c-kit, but discordant with ki-67. Among these three cases, p53-positive cases exhibited a low proliferative index (ki-67: 15%), while p53-negative cases showed a high proliferative index (ki-67: 50-60%).


CONCLUSIONS
In conclusion, the immunophenotype of GRCC is not uniform, but is similar to that of conventional ductal carcinoma.
Department of Pathology, Gangnam Severance Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, 211 Eonju-ro, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, Korea.
Sung Eun
SE
Kim
Ja Seung
JS
Koo
Woo-Hee
WH
Jung
D018262:Adenocarcinoma, Clear Cell / Q000145:classification* / Q000378:metabolism*; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000145:classification* / Q000378:metabolism*; D066246:ErbB Receptors / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D006003:Glycogen / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D016130:Immunophenotyping / Q000379:methods*; D019394:Ki-67 Antigen / Q000378:metabolism; D019009:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-kit / Q000378:metabolism; D018719:Erb-b2 Receptor Tyrosine Kinases / Q000378:metabolism; D011960:Receptors, Estrogen / Q000378:metabolism; D011980:Receptors, Progesterone / Q000378:metabolism
D066246:ErbB Receptors; D006003:Glycogen; D019394:Ki-67 Antigen; D019009:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-kit; D018719:Erb-b2 Receptor Tyrosine Kinases; D011960:Receptors, Estrogen; D011980:Receptors, Progesterone