Giant apocrine carcinoma of the breast: A case report with review

Abstract

Invasive apocrine carcinoma of the breast is rare. The criteria for the diagnosis are uncertain with the variable reported incidence in the literature. The use of androgen receptor studies by immunohistochemistry and its potential response to androgen analogs necessitates the subtyping of this tumor. We report a case of giant invasive apocrine carcinoma of the breast involving the entire breast parenchyma without skin and chest wall infiltration. The clinical, pathological, immunohistochemical, and ultrastructural findings are discussed with emphasis on morphological and immunohistochemical features that aid in the diagnosis of this rare tumor.

Keywords

• androgen receptor
• apocrine carcinoma
• breast
• electron microscopy
• oncocytic carcinoma