Search

Backgrounds and Objectives: Medullary breast carcinoma (MBC) is a subtype with a more favorable prognosis. Tumors with some, but not all, characteristics of MBC are classified as atypical medullary carcinoma of the breast (AMCB)., Methods: Patients with invasive MBC and AMCB reported to the National Cancer Data Base (NCDB) from 2004 to 2013 were compared for tumor characteristics and overall survival, using infiltrating ductal carcinoma (IDC) as a reference., Results: Patients with MBC (n = 3,688), AMCB (n = 288), and IDC (n = 918,870) met inclusion criteria. Comparing MBC with AMCB, the mean age at diagnosis (52.9 vs. 53.9 years), mean tumor size (2.4 vs. 2.5 cm), lymph node positivity (22.8% vs. 22.4%), estrogen receptor (ER) positivity (22% vs. 25%), progesterone receptor (PR) positivity (14% vs. 15%), HER2 positivity (11% vs. 14%), rate of breast conserving surgery (67% vs. 68%), use of chemotherapy (76% vs. 75%), and use of hormonal therapy (19% vs. 18%), respectively, were not clinically or statistically different. Five-year (92% vs. 89%) and 10-year survival rates (85% vs. 87%) were not significantly different (P = 0.46)., Conclusions: There does not appear to be any reason to differentiate between AMCB and MBC given the similarities in presentation, treatment and prognosis. J. Surg. Oncol. 2016;114:533-536. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc., (© 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.)

Background and Objectives: Invasive secretory breast carcinoma (SBC) is a rare subtype of breast malignancy., Methods: Cases of SBC and infiltrating ductal carcinoma (IDC) from the National Cancer Database (1998-2011) were queried., Results: Patients with SBC (n = 246) and IDC were identified (n = 1,564,068). The group with SBC was younger (age 56.4 ± 16.0 vs. 60.4 ± 13.9 years, P < 0.001), had similar tumor size (19.9 ± 17.8 vs. 21.6 ± 25.5 mm, P = 0.297), more frequently African-Americans (24.1 vs. 14.8 vs. 13.7; P = 0.004), more well-differentiated (32 vs. 18%, P < 0.001) and less likely to be hormone receptor positive (ER: 64 vs. 76%, P = 0.001; PR: 43 vs. 65%, P < 0.001). No differences were found for incidence of node-positivity (32 vs. 34%, P = 0.520) and stage IV presentation (2.4 vs. 3.6%, P = 0.372). Breast conserving surgery (60 vs. 58%, P = 0.405) and hormonal therapy (67 vs. 71%, P = 0.489) rates were similar. Systemic chemotherapy was used less often for SBC (38 vs. 45%, P = 0.035). The overall survival of all patients with SBC was better than all patients with IDC (median not reached vs. 14.8 years, P = 0.025)., Conclusion: SBC is an uncommon tumor that is often well-differentiated and seen in younger women. Contrary to prior reports, they are frequently hormone receptor-positive. Compared to IDC, overall survival is improved. J. Surg. Oncol. 2016;113:721-725. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc., (© 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.)

Papillary-cystic neoplasm of the pancreas is a rare tumor which has recently been described as a distinct, clinicopathological entity. Forty-four previously described cases from the literature and an additional 52 cases referred to in a brief abstract are reviewed. An additional case occurring in a 25-year-old woman is reported. This tumor occurs primarily in young women (mean age 23.3 years) and presents as a large abdominal mass (mean size 10.3 cm) in 63% of patients. Treatment is surgical resection of the involved portions of the pancreas and results of treatment are excellent following this form of therapy alone. The tumor appears to represent a low-grade malignancy, possibly of ductal cell origin. Only two patients with recurrences and two patients with metastatic disease have been reported. Surgeons should be aware of this curable pancreatic malignancy as they are most often responsible for the evaluation and treatment of the patient presenting with a large abdominal mass.