title: Metaplastic carcinoma of the breast.
abstract: Metaplastic carcinoma of the breast is a rare but aggressive type of breast cancer that has been recognized as a unique pathologic entity by the World Health Organization. Morphologically, it is characterized by the differentiation of neoplastic epithelium into squamous cells and/or mesenchymal-looking elements (squamous cells, spindle cells, cartilage or bone, etc). It shares many similarities with invasive ductal carcinoma and benign lesions on mammography, which further complicates the diagnosis. Treatment for metaplastic breast carcinoma is relatively unknown because of the rarity of the disease, but studies suggest that removal of the tumor and adjuvant radiation therapy has the greatest benefit.
authors.affiliation: From the Department of Pathology, The Brooklyn Hospital Center/NewYork-Presbyterian Healthcare System, Brooklyn, New York. Dr McKinnon is currently located at the Department of Pathology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina.
authors.forename: Elizabeth
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: McKinnon
authors.forename: Philip
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Xiao
mesh_terms: D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001940:Breast / Q000473:pathology*; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery / Q000628:therapy; D059248:Chemoradiotherapy; D005047:Etoposide / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007069:Ifosfamide / Q000008:administration & dosage; D008679:Metaplasia / Q000601:surgery / Q000628:therapy; D011379:Prognosis
chemical_list: D005047:Etoposide; D007069:Ifosfamide