Primary Stromal Breast Sarcoma with Concomitant Contralateral Carcinoma: A Rare Case from Syria

Bilateral breast cancers are rare cases encountered and are usually the same type in both sides. Only very few cases were reported to have different histological types of neoplasia involving sarcoma. Moreover, sarcomas rarely originate from the breast as a primary lesion whereas the common presentation is having angiosarcoma following radiotherapy. In this report, we present a rare case of a Syrian 43-year-old woman having two distinct primary lesions in the breasts: invasive ductal carcinoma and contralateral stromal sarcoma.

Long-Term Analysis of Ab-2 (Clone SN3b) Immunoreactivity as a Prognostic Factor in Breast Carcinoma

Background: CD24 expression has been described as a significant prognostic factor in multiple solid tumours. Most of these studies have, however, been undertaken using the Ab-2 antibody (clone SN3b), which detects a CD24-associated carbohydrate, and not the CD24 protein itself. Although its biological identity remains unclear, its prognostic significance means that detection of this carbohydrate may, nonetheless, be clinically relevant. Methods: 133 breast carcinomas were selected (pT1-2 pN0-2 M0, no secondary carcinoma, no contralateral carcinoma) from a previous SN3b expression study on a larger cohort of breast carcinomas. After updating data on follow-up observations, we carried out univariate and multivariate analysis of the prognostic significance of SN3b for total and breast cancer-specific survival. Results: A statistically significant correlation between cytoplasmic SN3b immunoreactivity and positive node status was found. Cytoplasmic SN3b also has node status-independent prognostic significance. Total survival exhibits a statistically significant dependency on cytoplasmic SN3b even for pN0 cases. Conclusion: The independent prognostic value of CD24 as detected by Ab-2/clone SN3b could replace the diagnostic axillary dissection in breast carcinoma patients if this was confirmed in further studies. Also, clarifying the exact epitope of this interesting antibody is more than warranted.

Identification of risk factors in mammographically occult contralateral breast carcinoma detected by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)

614 Background: An analysis of preoperative bilateral breast MRI at our institution suggests that approximately 1/3 of patients with newly diagnosed breast cancer may have a mammographically occult, but MRI-evident, contralateral breast abnormality. A number of these patients will have pathologic confirmation of carcinoma in the contralateral breast. Identification of risk factors to predict which patients are at high risk for having a mammographically occult contralateral carcinoma was performed. Methods: MRI results of 401 women with newly diagnosed breast carcinoma who underwent MRI were reviewed (overall group; OG). Patients with a contralateral abnormality identified only by MRI were analyzed to determine the incidence of contralateral carcinoma. In addition, the following risk factors were evaluated: Age at diagnosis, menopausal status, tumor size, nodal status, ipsilateral tumor histology, tumor grade, hormone receptor status, Her-2/neu receptor status, and whether the patient had a palpable vs. mammographically detected abnormality. Results: Pathologically confirmed contralateral carcinoma (CC) was found in 13 patients (3.2%). Similar percentages of patients in both groups (OG and CC) were noted in regard to tumor size, histology, grade, nodal status, Her-2/neu receptor status, and method of detection (palpable vs. mammographic). However, median patient age was 71 (CC) vs. 62(OG); 92% (12/13) were postmenopausal (CC) compared to 75% (OG); and 100% were ER positive (CC) vs. 81% percent (OG). Conclusions: Older, postmenopausal women who have ER + tumors may have a higher likelihood of having synchronous, contralateral, mammographically occult, MRI-detected breast carcinoma. Preoperative MRI may be beneficial in patients with similar risk factors; however, further follow up and additional experience is needed for confirmation of these findings. No significant financial relationships to disclose.