From the Guidelines
Breast neuroendocrine cancer is typically characterized by the presence of oestrogen receptor (ER) and progesterone receptor (PR) positivity, with the majority of cases being Her 2 neu negative 1.
Characteristics of Breast Neuroendocrine Cancer
- ER and PR positivity: The majority of breast neuroendocrine cancers are ER and PR positive, which is consistent with the characteristics of luminal A-like tumors 1.
- HER2 negativity: Most breast neuroendocrine cancers are HER2 negative, which is a characteristic shared with luminal A-like tumors 1.
- Distinguishability on mammography: Breast neuroendocrine cancer cannot be specifically distinguished from other breast cancers on mammography, requiring histopathological examination for definitive diagnosis 1. Therefore, options A, B, and C are correct statements regarding breast neuroendocrine cancer. However, option D is incorrect as breast neuroendocrine cancer cannot be specifically distinguished from other breast cancers on mammography, requiring histopathological examination for definitive diagnosis.
Key Points
- Breast neuroendocrine cancer is typically ER and PR positive, and HER2 negative 1.
- Histopathological examination is necessary for definitive diagnosis of breast neuroendocrine cancer 1.
From the Research
Characteristics of Breast Neuroendocrine Tumors
- Breast neuroendocrine tumors are typically Human Epidermal growth factor Receptor 2 (HER2) negative, as reported in studies 2, 3, 4
- They are often positive for Estrogen Receptor (ER) and Progesterone Receptor (PR), as shown in studies 2, 3, 5, 4
- The distinction of breast neuroendocrine tumors from other breast cancers on mammography is not clearly defined in the provided studies, but their genetic and histological characteristics can be used for diagnosis 5, 6
Distinguishing Features
- Breast neuroendocrine tumors have distinct genetic alterations, including mutations in transcription factors, compared to other types of breast cancer 5, 6
- They are often classified as luminal subtype, with a lower frequency of PIK3CA mutations and other genetic alterations compared to common forms of ER-positive/HER2-negative breast cancer 5, 6
Diagnostic and Clinical Implications
- Immunohistochemistry plays a crucial role in the diagnosis of breast neuroendocrine tumors, with markers such as synaptophysin, chromogranin A, and ER/PR 2, 3
- The treatment of breast neuroendocrine tumors typically involves surgery, radiotherapy, and hormone therapy, with chemotherapy and anti-HER2 therapy used in certain cases 3, 4