We describe an unusual case of infiltrating ductal carcinoma, not otherwise specified, containing numerous benign stromal osteoclast giant cells (OGCs). Macroscopically, the tumor appeared as a well-outlined dark brown mass and was initially interpreted as a benign lesion on the mammograms. OGCs were uniformly distributed in the tumor and were found in vascularized, hemorrhagic stroma often abutted on the nests of tumor cells. Electron microscopy supported a histiocytic origin of the OGCs, but immunohistochemistry failed to confirm the observation. The patient was alive and well 30 months following the operation. A review of the literature concerning breast carcinoma with OGCs is also presented.
AgnantisN.T., RosenP.P.: Mammary carcinoma with osteoclast-like giant cells. A study of eight cases with follow-up data.Am. J. Clin. Pathol.,72: 383–389, 1979.
2.
Al-SumidialA.M., LeinsterS.J., HartC.A., GreenC.D., McCarthyK.: Particles with properties of retroviruses in monocytes from patients with breast cancer.Lancet,1: 5–9, 1988.
3.
AthanasouN.A., WellsC.A., QuinnJ., FergusonD.P., HeryetA., McGeeJO'D.: The origin and nature of stromal osteoclast-like multinucleated giant cells in breast carcinoma: implications for tumour osteolysis and macrophage biology.Br. J. Cancer,59: 491–498, 1989.
4.
BertrandG., BidabeM.C.I., BertrandA.F.: Le carcinome mammaire à stroma-réaction giganto-cellulaire. Etude cytologique, histologique, ultrastructurale et immunocytochimique de deux observations.Arch. Anat. Cytol. Pathol.,30: 5–9, 1982.
5.
BoccatoP., BrianiG., d'AtriC., PasiniL., BlandamuraS., BizzarroP.: Spindle cell and cartilaginous metaplasia in a breast carcinoma with osteoclast-like stromal cells. A difficult fine-needle aspiration diagnosis.Acta Cytol.,32: 75–78, 1987.
6.
BondesonL.: Aspiration cytology of breast carcinoma with multinucleated reactive stromal giant cells.Acta Cytol.,28: 313–316, 1983.
7.
ChilosiM., BonettiF., MenestrinaF., LestaniM.: Breast carcinoma with stromal multinucleated giant cells.J. Pathol.,152: 55–57, 1987.
8.
DuoboucherH., MontpellierJ., LaffarqueF.: Epithélioma mammaire avec réaction de type myéloplaxique.Ann. Anat. Pathol.,70: 787–791, 1933.
9.
FactorS.M., BiempicaL., RatnerI., AhujaK.K., BiempicaS.: Carcinoma of the breast with multinucleated reactive stromal giant cells.Virchows Arch. A,374: 1–12, 1977.
10.
FisherE.R., PalekarA.S., GregorioR.M., PaulsonJ.D.: Mucoepidermoid and squamous cell carcinomas of breast with reference to squamous metaplasia and giant cell tumors.Am. J. Surg. Pathol.,7: 15–27, 1983.
11.
GuptaR.K., WakefieldS.J., HollowayL.J., SimpsonJ.S.: Immunocytochemical and ultrastructural study of the rare osteoclasttype carcinoma of the breast in a fine needle aspirate.Acta. Cytol.,32: 79–82, 1982.
12.
HollandR., UrbainJ.G., van HaelstM.: Mammary carcinoma with osteoclast-like giant cells. Additional observation on six cases.Cancer,53: 1963–1973, 1984.
13.
KarasM., ZafiridouH., KaraiossifidesC.: Unusual stromal response in a malignant breast tumor. Presented at the VI Congress of the European Society of Pathology, 1977.
14.
KobayashiS., TobiokaN., SamotoT., KobayashiM., IwaseH., MasaokaA., NakamuraT., ShibataH., AmohH., MatsuyamaM.: Breast cancer with osteoclast-like multinucleated giant cells.Acta Pathol. Jpn.34: 1475–1484, 1984.
15.
LerouxR.: Réaction giganto cellulaire du stroma dans un épithélioma mammarie.Bull. Cancer,20: 692–697, 1931.
16.
LevinA., RywlinA.M., TachmesP.: Carcinoma of the breast with stromal epulis-like giant cells.South Med. J.,74: 889–891, 1981.
17.
Lombart-BoschA., PeydroA.: Malignant mixed osteogenic tumors of the breast. An ultrastructural study of two cases.Virchows Arch. A.,366: 1–14, 1975.
18.
McMahonR.F.T., AhmedA., ConnollyC.E.: Breast carcinoma with stromal multinucleated giant cells - a light microscopic, histochemical and ultrastructural study.J. Pathol.,150: 175–179, 1986.
19.
NielsenB.B., KiaerH.W.: Carcinoma of the breast with stromal multinucleated giant cells.Histopathology,9: 183–193, 1985.
20.
ObermanH.A.: Metaplastic carcinoma of the breast. Am. J; Surg.Pathol.,11: 918–929, 1987.
21.
PettinatoG., PetrellaG., MancoA., di PriscoB., SalvatoreG., AngrisaniP.: Carcinoma of the breast with osteoclast-like giant cells. Fine needle aspiration cytology, histology and electron microscopy of 5 cases.Appl. Pathol.,2: 168–178, 1988.
22.
StewartC.J.R., MutchA.F.: Breast carcinoma with osteoclast-like giant cells.Cytopathology,2: 215–219, 1991.
23.
SuganoI., NagaoK., KondoY., NabeshimaS., MurakamiS.: Cytologic and ultrastructural studies of a rare breast carcinoma with osteoclast-like giant cells.Cancer,52: 74–78, 1983.
24.
TavassoliF.A., NorrisH.J.: Breast carcinoma with osteoclast-like giant cells.Arch. Pathol. Lab. Med.,110: 636–639, 1986.
25.
TrojaniM., De MascarelI., CoquetM., CoindreJ.M., De MascarelA.: Carcinome mammaire à cellules géantes de type ostéoclasique.Ann. Pathol.,9: 189–194, 1989.
26.
VolpeR., CarboneA., NicolòG., SantiL.: Cytology of a breast carcinoma with osteoclast-like giant cells.Acta Cytol.,27: 184–187, 1983.
27.
WargotzE.S., NorrisH.J.: Metaplastic carcinoma of the breast: V. metaplastic carcinoma with osteoclastic giant cells.Hum. Pathol.,21: 1142–1150, 1990.
