Argyrophilic carcinoma of the male breast. A neuroendocrine tumor containing predominantly chromogranin B (secretogranin I).

Abstract

Argyrophilic tumors were diagnosed in 28 of 134 (20.8%) consecutive male patients who had a carcinoma of the breast removed between 1961 and 1990. Histologically, most argyrophilic tumors showed uniform cellularity and prevalent expansive growth. Ultrastructural observation disclosed the presence of electron-dense cored granules in the cytoplasm of the tumor cells. By immunocytochemistry, 17 of 28 argyrophilic tumors (60.7%) contained chromogranin B (secretogranin I)-immunoreactive cells, whereas chromogranin A was present in four of these 17 tumors only (14.2%). Immunoblotting studies showed chromogranin B immunoreactivity similar to that found in normal neuroendocrine cells. Despite these findings, which would argue for a distinct morphologic and immunochemical entity, no statistically significant differences between argyrophilic and common male breast carcinomas were found when a number of clinicopathologic features and relapse-free survival were considered.

• Authors: L Scopsi, S Andreola, R Saccozzi, S Pilotti, P Boracchi, P Rosa, A R Conti, A Manzari, W B Huttner, F Rilke
• Journal: The American journal of surgical pathology (Am J Surg Pathol) Vol. 15 Issue 11 Pg. 1063-71 (Nov 1991) ISSN: 0147-5185 [Print] United States
• PMID: 1928556 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• CHGB protein, human
• Chromogranin A
• Chromogranin B
• Chromogranins

Topics

• Adult
• Aged
• Aged, 80 and over
• Breast Neoplasms (mortality, pathology)
• Chromogranin A
• Chromogranin B
• Chromogranins (analysis)
• Humans
• Immunoblotting
• Immunohistochemistry
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Neurosecretory Systems (metabolism)
• Sex Factors
• Survival Analysis