Primary squamous cell carcinoma of the breast: clinical study and review of the literature

From the analysis of our series and a review of the literature, we have done a summary of the clinicopathologic patterns and treatment of squamous cell carcinoma of the breast. It usually presents as a large palpable mass in a woman over 50 years old. There are no specific iconographic features, but a relative frequency of presentation as abscess or cyst. The overall and disease-free survivals are worse than other histological types of breast cancer. These neoplasms have a basal-like and triple negative profile and they respond poorly to standard treatment of breast carcinomas. They are usually treated by radical surgery. Optimal chemotherapy regimens is not yet determined and platin based chemotherapy could offer an effective alternative as the developpement of specific targeted therapies (anti Her1) could do.