Turkish Journal of Oncology Turkish Society for Radiation Oncology
Article Open Access Volume 25 · Issue 2 · 2010 pp. 063–066

Neuroendocrine carcinoma of the breast: a case presenting with Octreoscan™ positive skin metastases

Sezer SAĞLAM1
1 Departments of Medical Oncology, İstanbul University Oncology Institute, İstanbul
2 Departments of Radiation Oncology, İstanbul University Oncology Institute, İstanbul
3 Departments of Nuclear Medicine, İstanbul University İstanbul Faculty of Medicine, İstanbul
4 Departments of Pathology, İstanbul University İstanbul Faculty of Medicine, İstanbul
Published: 2010 Pubmed: 93191 Article ID: 749
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Abstract
Primary neuroendocrine carcinoma of the breast is very rare
and has been revealed as a result of the widespread use of
sensitive techniques for the detection of neuroendocrine markers.
Published cases number less than 30, all presenting with
a lump in the breast as the first sign. We report a case of neuroendocrine
carcinoma of the breast that presented first with
skin metastases. A 60-year-old woman with coin skin lesions,
2-3 cm, on the back, belly, and side of the hip was admitted
to Istanbul University Oncology Institute. Histopathological
results of a punch biopsy revealed lymphangitis carcinomatosa.
Mammography and sonography performed as part of
the systemic evaluation demonstrated a 6 mm solid lesion.
Subsequent evaluation of the biopsy specimen revealed primary
neuroendocrine carcinoma. First-line hormonotherapy
with letrozole, to inhibit the estrogen receptor, together with
monthly injections of long-acting 30 mg octreotide, for the
skin lesions, were initiated. The patient was followed-up for
20 months, during which time no progression was observed.
Then relaps was seen in the lungs and died six months later.
Diagnosis, therapy, and follow-up of the case are presented.

Keywords: Octreoscan; neuroendocrine carcinoma of breast

Full text

Introduction

Neuroendocrine tumors can originate from various parts of the body and present with welldefined clinical entities, mostly in the gastrointestinal system, but primary neuroendocrine carcinoma of the breast is very rare and it has been revealed only as the result of the widespread use of sensitive techniques for the detection of neuroendocrine markers.[]

The term, neuroendocrine differentiated breast cancers, describes a subset of tumors with neuroendocrine morphology that diffusely express neuroendocrine markers in more than 50% of cells, with frequently expressed estrogen and progesterone receptors, and the frequent coexistence of mucinous and apocrine differentiation. These tumors often occur in elderly patients and often have low levels of aggressiveness. Clinical prognosis of these patients is generally based on pathology reviews or case reports.[-]

Wade et al. described the first neuroendocrine carcinoma of the breast in 1983 and since then all published cases number less than 30, all presenting with a lump in the breast as the first sign.

We report a case of neuroendocrine carcinoma of the breast that presented first with skin metastases.

Case Presentation

A 60-year-old woman presented to Istanbul University Oncology Institute on December 2005 with coin skin lesions, 2-3 cm, on the back, belly, and side of the hip (Fig. 1). Histopathology results following punch biopsy revealed lymphangitis carcinomatosa.

Fig 1: Coin skin lesions, 2-3 cm, on the back, belly, and side of the hip at initial presentation.

Mammography and sonography performed as part of the systemic evaluation revealed a 6 mm solid lesion in the upper-outer quadrant of the right breast, which was categorized as ACR BIRADS 4, and axillary lymphadenopathy (18 × 9 mm). A tru-cut biopsy was performed and immunohistochemical evaluation showed a solitary type neuroendocrine carcinoma with both in situ and invasive components of nuclear grade II and histological grade III, and with diffuse positive staining for synaptophysin, focal positive staining for chromogranin (20%), and CD56 negative results.

The estrogen receptor was positive in 80% (NeoMarkers clone SP1), progesterone receptor in 60% (NeoMarkers clone SP1), and there was no overexpression of Her2/neu (Novo Castra 1A6).

The tru-cut biopsy from the breast and punch biopsy from the skin lesions were compared. Although the receptor evaluations of the skin lesions were negative for chromogranin A and synaptophysin, they were considered metastases because of cellular immunohistochemical similarities. The negativity of the receptors was considered to be due to the differentiation in metastatic cells or to the insufficiency of the material for immunohistochemical evaluation.

As a part of the patient's clinical evaluation octreotide scintigraphy was performed. Octreotide scintigraphy showed increased activity on the thorax, belly, and side of the hip. In particular, the increased activity of the regions with the skin lesions supported the data that the lesions were metastases of neuroendocrine carcinoma (Fig. 2).

Fig 2: Octreotide scintigraphy showing increased activity on the thorax, belly, and lateral right femur.

First-line hormonotherapy with letrozole, to inhibit the estrogen receptor, together with monthly intramuscular injection of long-acting octreotide (Sandostatin LAR 30 mg, Novartis), for the skin lesions, were initiated. Two months later the skin lesions paled (Fig. 3) and 20 months after diagnosis lung metastasis occurred. The patient was followed-up for 26 months. To the best of our knowledge this is the first case of neuroendocrine carcinoma of the breast involving the skin and demonstrated via octreotide scintigraphy.

Fig 3: Paled skin lesions.

Discussion

Neuroendocrine carcinoma of the breast exhibits different histology, clinical profile, and biological behavior comparing to breast carcinoma. Current knowledge of this carcinoma is insufficient.

Studies on neuroendocrine carcinoma of breast show diverse results on the prognostic factors. Importance of histological grading were proved in Sapino's study,[] but van Krempen's study showed that tumor size, and lymph node involvement as well as grade effect survival.[] These findings are similar to those for any type of breast cancer. The presented case was histological grade III, which demonstrated aggressiveness with skin metastases.

There are no guidelines and little experience reported concerning the treatment of neuroendocrine carcinoma of the breast. Most publications are based on gastrointestinal neuroendocrine tumors.[]

Somatostatin receptors (SSTRs) can be found in breast cancer cells, making the use of somatostatin analogs possible.[] Somatostatin receptor scintigraphy (Octreoscan™) detects octreotide distribution in the body and evaluates octreotide utility in patients.[] The standard dose is generally 30 mg with intramuscular application in monthly. Treatment response was observed on skin lesions for this patient.

Systemic chemotherapy is not planned until progression occurs. Interferon treatment is very complicated in neuroendocrine tumors and has no significant effect on survival.[]

Additional studies on neuroendocrine carcinoma of the breast are necessary to further clarify its biological behavior and to define an appropriate treatment protocol. The presented case highlighted various aspects of neuroendocrine carcinoma based on its presentation, diagnosis, and treatment.

References

Sapino A, Papotti M, Righi L, Cassoni P, Chiusa L, Bussolati G. Clinical significance of neuroendocrine carcinoma of the breast. Ann Oncol 2001;12 Suppl 2:S115-7. Guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of neuroendocrine gastrointestinal tumours. Neuroendocrinology 2004;80:394-424. Zekioglu O, Erhan Y, Ciris M, Bayramoglu H. Neuroendocrine differentiated carcinomas of the breast: a distinct entity. Breast 2003;12(4):251-7. van Krimpen C, Elferink A, Broodman CA, Hop WC, Pronk A, Menke M. The prognostic influence of neuroendocrine differentiation in breast cancer: results of a long-term follow-up study. Breast 2004;13(4):329-33. Oberg K, Kvols L, Caplin M, Delle Fave G, de Herder W, Rindi G, et al. Consensus report on the use of somatostatin analogs for the managment of neuroendocrine tumors of the gastroenteropancreatic system. Ann Oncol 2004;15(6):966-73. Fazio N, de Braud F, Delle Fave G, Oberg K. Interferon- alpha and somatostatin analog in patients with gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine carcinoma: single agent or combination? Ann Oncol 2007;18(1):13-9.
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