Multifocal invasive ductal breast cancer with osteoclast-like giant cells: a case report

• Published in: Journal of medical case reports Vol. 5; no. 1; p. 85
• Main Authors: Richter, Georg, Uleer, Christoph, Noesselt, Thomas
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England BioMed Central Ltd 27.02.2011; BioMed Central; BMC
• Subjects: Breast cancer; Care and treatment; Case Report; Case studies; Development and progression; Diagnosis; Health aspects; Mammography; Patient outcomes; Risk factors; Germany
• ISSN: 1752-1947; 1752-1947
• DOI: 10.1186/1752-1947-5-85

To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case report of a multifocal (trifocal) invasive carcinoma of the breast containing osteoclast-like giant cells. A 64-year-old Caucasian woman presented for routine mammography screening with three radiodense lesions in the lower inner quadrant of the right breast, a primary breast cancer. Microscopic examination showed three foci of invasive ductal carcinoma with multinucleated osteoclast-like giant cells. Osteoclast-like giant cells in breast cancer are a rare phenomenon. They are described in less than two percent of all breast cancers and occur in association with invasive ductal cancer and invasive lobular cancer. In addition, osteoclast-like giant cells have been described in several sarcomas and metaplastic carcinomas of the breast. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of a multifocal infiltrating ductal carcinoma of the breast containing osteoclast-like giant cells. This could be an indication for a possible early event in carcinogenesis associated with a biological event or secretion that indicates the differentiation and/or migration of stromal cells or macrophages.