Abstract
We report a rare case of secretory carcinoma of the breast in a 50-year-old Japanese woman. The patient had been aware of a right breast tumor for 8 years, but had left it untreated. The tumor enlarged in size and became painful, and she visited our hospital. Breast carcinoma was diagnosed, and mastectomy was performed. Histopathological examination revealed features of a secretory carcinoma characterized by prominent secretory activity in the glandular and microcystic spaces, with some areas showing a follicular pattern resembling the thyroid gland. The secretory material was PAS-positive and immunohistochemically α-lactalbumin-positive. Ultrastructurally, the tumor cell contained many secretory vacuoles in the cytoplasm. In addition, extracellular and intracytoplasmic lumina were conspicuous; these were lined by microvilli projection and contained secretory material. By flow cytometric analysis, the DNA index was 1.14, which was diploid, showing relatively low proliferative activity.
Similar content being viewed by others
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
Received: December 9, 1998 / Accepted: February 3, 1999
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Suzuki, F., Saito, A., Ishi, K. et al. Secretory carcinoma of the breast: an immunohistochemical and ultrastructural study. Med Electron Microsc 32, 50–56 (1999). https://doi.org/10.1007/s007950050008
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s007950050008