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Encyclopedia of Pathology pp 1–3Cite as

Mucoepidermoid Carcinoma of the Breast

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Part of the book series: Encyclopedia of Pathology ((EP))

Definition

Mucoepidermoid carcinoma (MEC) of the breast is a tumor composed of mucous-secreting intermediate and epidermoid cells. It can present a great variety of architectural patterns, ranging from cystic to solid. Its features are similar MEC arising in the major and minor salivary glands (Foschini et al. 2017; Foschini and Krausz 2010).

Clinical Features

  • Incidence

    Breast MEC is an extremely rare type of tumor. Its incidence is not exactly known, as only single case or small series are reported (Basburg 2011; Foschini 2017).

  • Age

    MEC affects mainly adult patients, aged from 29 to 80 years.

  • Sex

    At present breast MEC has been described in female patients only.

  • Site

    MEC can arise in all the breast quadrants. When it affects the retro-areolar region, it can present with nipple discharge.

  • Treatment

    Radical surgical resection is the treatment of choice. Axillary lymph node dissection and chemotherapy have been added in high-grade MEC.

  • Outcome

    Outcome mainly depends on MEC grading. MEC,...

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References

  • Basbug, M., Akbulut, S., Arikanoglu, Z., Sogutcu, N., Firat, U., & Kucukoner, M. (2011). Mucoepidermoid carcinoma in a breast affected by burn scars: Comprehensive literature review and case report. Breast Care (Basel), 6(4), 293–297.

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  • Camelo-Piragua, S. I., Habib, C., Kanumuri, P., Lago, C. E., Mason, H. S., & Otis, C. N. (2009). Mucoepidermoid carcinoma of the breast shares cytogenetic abnormality with mucoepidermoid carcinoma of the salivary gland: A case report with molecular analysis and review of the literature. Human Pathology, 40(6), 887–892.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Di Tommaso, L., Foschini, M. P., Ragazzini, T., Magrini, E., Fornelli, A., Ellis, I. O., & Eusebi, V. (2004). Mucoepidermoid carcinoma of the breast. Virchows Archives, 444(1), 13–19.

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  • Foschini, M. P., & Krausz, T. (2010). Salivary gland-type tumors of the breast: A spectrum of benign and malignant tumors including “triple negative carcinomas” of low malignant potential. Seminar in Diagnostic Pathology, 27(1), 77–90.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Foschini, M. P., Morandi, L., Asioli, S., Giove, G., Corradini, A. G., & Eusebi, V. (2017). The morphological spectrum of salivary gland type tumours of the breast. Pathology, 49(2), 215–227.

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  • Tjalma, W. A., Verslegers, I. O., De Loecker, P. A., & Van Marck, E. A. (2002). Low and high grade mucoepidermoid carcinomas of the breast. European Journal of Gynaecological Oncology, 23(5), 423–425.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, University of Bologna, Unit of Anatomic Pathology at Bellaria Hospital, Bologna, Italy

    Maria P. Foschini & Luca Morandi

Authors
  1. Maria P. Foschini
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  2. Luca Morandi
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Maria P. Foschini .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. NIJMEGEN, The Netherlands

    J.H.J.M. van Krieken

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Cite this entry

Foschini, M.P., Morandi, L. (2018). Mucoepidermoid Carcinoma of the Breast. In: van Krieken, J. (eds) Encyclopedia of Pathology. Encyclopedia of Pathology. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-28845-1_4766-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-28845-1_4766-1

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-319-28845-1

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-319-28845-1

  • eBook Packages: Springer Reference MedicineReference Module Medicine

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