A CASE OF APOCRINE CARCINOMA OF THE BREAST DEVELOPED IN A CYSTIC FORM

A case of apocrine carcinoma of the breast developed in a cystic form is described herein. Apocrine carcinoma is rare, especially cystic apocrine carcinoma in this case. The case involved a 40 year old Japanese woman. Morphologically, the tumor developed circularly inside of the thick capsule and histologically, both the carcinoma and non-cancerous mammary tissue showed marked apocrine meta-plasia. The analysis of nuclear DNA content by flow cytometry showed intratumoral variations in DNA distribution pattern. Radical mastectomy was performed. The excised tumor was 3.5×3.0cm in size and t2n0M0 in stage II. No lymph node metastasis was seen. There has been no sign of recurrence, as of two years and 5 months after the operation. The present case is very interesting in discussining the relationship between the carcinoma and apocrine metaplasia, morphologically and histologically.