Pure mucinous carcinoma of the breast: a single center experience.

Purpose: Mucinous breast carcinoma is rare subtype of breast cancer. Histopathologically, it is classified into two forms, pure and mixed type. It recurs late, metastasis to axillary lymph nodes is less common and is more hormone receptor positive. We herein present the data of our patients with pure mucinous breast cancer (PMBC) treated in our institution.

Methods: Among 1211 breast cancer patients with breast cancer diagnosed and treated in Hacettepe University Institute of Oncology, 20 patients (1.6%) with PMBC (defined as having mucinous component of more than 90%) were identified. Patient demographics, tumor characteristics and patient outcomes were assessed retrospectively.

Results: The median age at diagnosis was 52.5 years (range 27-80). The majority of the patients presented with stage II disease (n=15; 75%). One of 20 patients recurred with bone metastasis 50 months after diagnosis. Median follow-up was 39 months (range 3-137). Estrogen receptors (ER) were positive in 16 (80%) patients and HER-2 positive in one (5%). Twenty-five percent of the patients had positive axillary nodes.

Conclusion: PMBC is a rare entity with favorable prognosis. Lymph node metastasis is rarely seen even in large -sized tumors.