Signet-ring cell variant of invasive lobular carcinoma of the breast. A clinicopathologic study of 11 cases.

Abstract

In signet-ring cell carcinoma of the breast, which was recognized in 1976 as a distinct clinicopathologic variant of lobular carcinoma, more than 20% of the malignant cells appear as signet rings formed by mucin-positive intracytoplasmic vacuoles. Several recent studies have demonstrated that the neoplasm behaves aggressively and is associated with a poor prognosis. However, the literature lacks information concerning steroid hormone receptor assays and DNA ploidy profiles, especially regarding how these tests affect a patient's prognosis. During a 5-year period (1985 to 1990), 11 (8.7%) of 126 cases of invasive lobular carcinoma met the criteria for signet-ring cell carcinoma. Ten of 11 cases were positive for estrogen and progesterone receptors; six cases showed type I and five showed type III DNA histograms. The high incidence of positive hormone receptors is significant: patients with receptor positive tumors, even those with type III DNA histograms, who were treated with tamoxifen citrate therapy after surgery had a significant increase in disease-free survival (30 months). Both the pathologist and the clinician should be aware of the prognostic influence of hormone receptor studies in the management of signet-ring cell carcinoma of the breast.

• Authors: M Eltorky, J C Hall, P T Osborne, F el Zeky
• Journal: Archives of pathology & laboratory medicine (Arch Pathol Lab Med) Vol. 118 Issue 3 Pg. 245-8 (Mar 1994) ISSN: 0003-9985 [Print] United States
• PMID: 8135627 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Topics

• Adult
• Aged
• Aged, 80 and over
• Breast Neoplasms (pathology)
• Carcinoma, Lobular (pathology)
• Carcinoma, Signet Ring Cell (pathology)
• Female
• Flow Cytometry
• Humans
• Middle Aged