INTRACYSTIC ATYPICAL CARCINOID (ENDOCRINE CELL CARCINOMA) OF THE BREAST-A CASE REPORT-

Atypical carcinoid (endocrine cell carcinoma) of the breast which is a rare entity is reported. A 76-year-old woman had a palpable tumor 3.2×2.7cm in size in the ABC area of the left breast. Echography revealed a broad-based intracystic tumor. Dynamic MRI mammography revealed early enhanced intracystic tumor. A aspiration cytology resulted in class IV. Intraoperative frozen section diagnosis was intracyctic solid-tublar carcinoma, and a modiffied radical mastectomy (Auchincloss's method) was performed. Hematoxylin and eosin (HE) stain showed carcinoid like appearance. Grimerius silver staining demonstrate numerous argyrophillic granules in the cytoplasm of many tumor cells. And chromogranin A stain was positive. Mucin stain also revealed mucin in the cytoplasm. Electron microscopy of the tumor showed numerous neurosecretory granules. At last, from the figure of tumor cells, diagmosis was atypical carcinoid (endocrine cell carcinoma) of the breast. Lymph node metastasis was not seen. Estrogen receptor (ER) was positive, but progesterone receptor (PgR) was negative. No distant metastasis was found at the time of operation. She died of multiple liver metastasis 10 months after the operation. Carcinoid syndrome was not found.