Primary neuroendocrine tumours of the breast: A retrospective study of 21 cases and literature review

Purpose. - The aim of the present study was to discuss the epidemiology, clinical and pathologic features, treatment, and prognosis of primary neuroendocrine carcinomas of the breast. Patients and methods. - We report 21 cases diagnosed over a period of 12 years (1995-2011) at the university hospital of Sfax. A review of the clinical data with pathology and immunohistochemistry study was carried out for all the cases. Results. - The average age was 62 years (34-86 years). At the time of the diagnosis, tumours were classified T1 and T2 (16 cases), N1 (11 cases) and M1 in two cases. The histological examination has shown 13 cases of solid neuroendocrine carcinoma, six cases of large cell type and two cases of atypical carcinoid. Grade I and II SBR were found in 18 cases. Eighty-one percent of the tumours were reactive for synaptophysin; all tumours were positive for chromogranin. Thirteen (61.9%) tumours were estrogen receptor-positive and 12 (57.5%) progesterone receptor-positive. Nineteen (90.5%) tumours were negative for HER2/neu. Overall five-year survival was 72.7%. All patients had surgical treatment with modified radical mastectomy in 13 cases. Adjuvant treatment was indicated according to histopronostic elements. Conclusion. - For primary neuroendocrine carcinoma of the breast, multivariate analysis identified three predictive factors for mortality: disease stage, histological grade and lymph node involvement. (C) 2015 Societe francaise de radiotherapie oncologique (SFRO). Published by Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.