Introduction: A type of Metaplastic Breast Cancer (MBC) that has matrix producing properties is an infrequently occurring breast cancer and is responsible for less than 1% of the overall cases. MBC is mixed in nature, comprising of a blend of adenocarcinomatous and metaplastic components. The occurrence of MBC with chondroid differentiation is rarer and also a diagnostic challenge; warranting its presentation.

Case Report: A case of a 57-year-old female is reported here, having a 4.3x3.3 cm mass palpable at the lower outer quadrant of the right breast. Upon performing a trucut biopsy, an infiltrating malignant tumor was found, with focal chondroid differentiation in the background of a chondromyxoid matrix suggesting a metaplastic carcinoma.

Conclusion: Early detection and treatment is of key significance as Metaplastic Breast Cancer is a rare entity with a histopathological variance, a higher rate of metastasis, locally recurrent and carry an overall poor prognosis.

Keywords: Breast cancer, Chondroid, Metaplastic, Public health, Women’s health

Metaplastic Breast Cancer (MBC) is a subtype of breast tumors that is rare in its occurrence and diverse in its histological presentation; accounting for less than 1% of all breast cancers [1], [2] . It is represented by the metaplastic transformation of the epithelium into Squamous or mesenchymal morphology [3] . Due to the rarity of MBC expressing the three hormone receptors, these tumors are labeled under the breast cancers that are triple negative (ER,PR and Her-2 negative) [4].

MBC with cartilaginous or osseous differentiation is an exceptional variety of breast cancers and its frequency is only 0.003-0.12% of the reported breast cancer cases [5]. A list of possible differential diagnosis was made; including malignant phyllodes tumor, malignant adenomyoepithelial tumor and MBC with chondrosarcoma.

A postmenopausal woman aged 57-year-old visited the clinic having an incidentally discovered right sided breast lump. On examination, the lump was situated in the lower outer quadrant of breast, approximately 4.5 cm in size, no skin retraction and impalpable lymph nodes in the axilla. She had a positive family history with two of her sisters having had a Carcinoma of the breast in their postmenopausal age.

Ultrasound of Right breast showed a heterogeneous hypo echoic mass with irregular margins measuring 4.3x3.3cm at 5/6 o clock position. Benign looking lymph nodes were seen in the right axilla. Mammography revealed an asymmetrical increased density mass with surrounding architectural distortion in the right breast’s lower quadrant. It was categorized as BIRADS IV (Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System). She was subjected to core biopsy showing an infiltrating malignant tumor present in sheets and cords with focal chondroid differentiation and a chondromyxoid matrix (Figures 1, 2 and 3). On the basis of which she was diagnosed as having a metaplastic carcinoma with mesenchymal differentiation; grade III according to Modified Bloom Richardson grading system. CT Scan Chest and Whole Body Skeletal survey was negative for metastasis. She was staged according to AJCC (American Joint Committee on Cancer) 7th version and clinically she was in Stage II of her disease.

She was offered neoadjuvant chemotherapy to downsize the tumor for breast conservation; however she refused chemotherapy and opted for mastectomy. She underwent a mastectomy with sentinel node biopsy. Histopathology demonstrated a 5.1x3.3x3cm metaplastic tumor with matrix production properties, tumor necrosis and histological grade III. No evidence of lymphatic or perineural invasion, skin or nipple involvement and ductal or lobular carcinoma in situ (LCIS). A total of 5 lymph nodes were recovered all of which were tumor free (T3, N0, M0). The tumor was negative for ER (Estrogen Receptor), PR (Progesterone Receptor) and HER-2 (Human Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor 2) hormone receptors, negative for p-16 with 15-20% expressivity for Ki-67.

She received adjuvant chemotherapy with AC x4 (Adriamycin and Cyclophosphamide) followed by 4 cycles of Taxane. Chemotherapy was followed by 21 sessions of right sided chest wall radiotherapy at a dose of 4500.0 cGy. Currently, she is doing well and regularly visiting the outpatient clinic for follow up.

The breast cancer incidence amongst women is increasing world wide and is one of the principal sources of deaths among women. Breast cancer has been reported to be the most commonly occurring cancer in Pakistani women, attributing for 34.6% of the cases [6]. This data is obtained from a sole cancer registry in Pakistan which is population based, named Karachi Cancer Registry. Due to the traditional and conservative nature of the society in the majority of the country, most of the breast cancers (metaplastic or otherwise) are reported at stages where salvage becomes challenging.

MBC is a subtype of breast cancers that is less than 1% in occurrence. According to the WHO guidelines, the classification of MBC is comprised of metaplastic carcinoma with fibromatosis, spindle cell carcinoma, low grade adenosquamous carcinoma, mesenchymal differentiated metaplastic carcinoma, mixed metaplastic carcinoma and myoepithelial carcinoma[7].

Pathogenesis of metaplastic breast cancer is still unclear. However, mutations in various genes such as oncogenes, tumor suppressor genes and proto-oncogenes play a vital role in cancer development [8]. BRCA1, BRCA2 and p53 mutations have a well-defined role as tumor suppressor genes in breast cancers [8]. Mutations in these tumor suppressor genes lead to loss of their inhibitory role on tumor growth resulting in unrestrained tumor progression. In high risk populations, these mutations can be diagnostically tested to predict the life time chance of breast cancer development according to the result.

MBC tumors are bulky, having a consistency of being firm to hard. Adherence to the underlying skin or deep tissues is also observed [9]. There is an increased likelihood for the tumor spread to be metastatic despite majority of MBC’s not showing nodal involvement [10]. They tend to spread through hematological routes leading to their high rate of systemic metastasis; further highlighting the importance of early detection of MBC’s [11]. Ultimate diagnosis is reached through a thorough histopathology analysis. As compared to the invasive ductal carcinomas (IDC), MBC has a higher proportion of triple negative cases with a comparatively higher expression of Ki-67 [12]. Furthermore, they are more likely to have local recurrences and have an overall poor prognosis [12].

Despite the knowledge that MBC is a separate entity, treatment regimens largely tend to follow the ones for Invasive Ductal Carcinoma (IDC) [13] .

MBC is a rare entity with a histopathological variance. They are bulky tumors with a rare nodal involvement and a paradoxically higher rate of metastasis. Hence, further importance lies on early detection and treatment. Most of the cases of MBC are triple negative, they are highly likely to be locally recurrent and thus have a poor prognosis. There is no specific treatment for MBC per say and it mostly follows the treatment of IDC.

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