Metastatic Carcinoma of Unknown Primary: Is It From the Breast?. Issue 1 (January 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Zhang, Yang; Ioffe, Olga
• Is Part Of: AJSP reviews & reports. Volume 21:Issue 1(2016)
• Publication Date: 2016-01
• Subjects: metastatic carcinoma -- breast cancer -- immunohistochemical markers -- surgical pathology; Pathology, Surgical -- Periodicals; Pathology, Surgical; Pathologie chirurgicale; Pathology, Surgical; Electronic journals; Periodicals; 617.07
• DOI: 10.1097/PCR.0000000000000123
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2381-5949

Abstract

Abstract : Abstract: Metastatic carcinomas of the breast can occur almost anywhere and cause a significant majority of the fatalities associated with breast cancer. Accurate identification of the breast as the site of origin in metastatic carcinoma allows for more targeted therapy and potential gain in survival. However, pathologists are oftentimes presented with many challenges when confronted with these cases, including a lack of clinical history, poor differentiation on histology, variability of immunohistochemical staining, and artifacts related to tissue processing. Recent advances in lineage-specific immunohistochemical markers have helped diminish some of these obstacles. This report reviews the current state of knowledge surrounding the usefulness of these markers and provides guidelines for the pathologist' approach to diagnosing metastatic breast cancer.