Androgen Receptor Expression in Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma of Breast: A Subset of Seven Cases

Abstract

Objective: Adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC) of the breast is an uncommon salivary type of breast carcinoma. It is a triple negative breast carcinom with a basal-like phenotype that behaves in an indolent manner. Herein, we aimed to document clinicopathologic findings and hormone receptor statu of ACC in the breast diagnosed in our institution during an eleven-year period. Materials and Methods: Medical data of cases diagnosed as adenoid cystic carcinoma in the breast between January 2006 and December 2016 wer retrospectively reviewed from hospital data base. Paraffin blocks of seven cases were retrieved from the archive of Pathology Department and androge receptor (AR) immunohistochemistry was applied to each case. Results: All of the cases diagnosed as ACC were females with a mean age 56.2. Solid growth pattern was present in two cases. P63 was constantl expressed in the whole group, and at least one additional myoepithelial marker (calponin, caldesmon, etc.) was co-expressed in tumors. While wea estrogen receptor expression was detected only in one patient, AR was strikingly expressed in majority (%85.7) of the tumors. Conclusion: To our knowledge, our series is the first to report such high levels of AR expression. This new finding, in turn, suggests considering hor monal therapy as an option in the management of ACC of the breast.