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Gallo M, Campione S, Di Vito V, Fortunati N, Lo Calzo F, Messina E, Ruggeri RM, Faggiano A, Colao AAL. Primary Neuroendocrine Neoplasms of the Breast: Still Open Issues. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2021; 11:610230. [PMID: 33584543 PMCID: PMC7874233 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2020.610230] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2020] [Accepted: 12/08/2020] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Neuroendocrine breast tumors represent a rare subtype of breast cancer, accounting for less than 1% of all neuroendocrine neoplasms. Starting from their pathology definition, and going through their prevalence, prognosis and treatment, our knowledge is still really uncertain. In the present short review of the medical literature on this topic, we have evaluated in details their epidemiology, risk factors, pathogenesis, pathology, clinical presentation, radiographic aspects, prognosis, and therapy. We have thus been able to identify a number of open issues regarding primary neuroendocrine neoplasms of the breast that need to be clarified. Our ultimate aim was actually to try to understand whether neuroendocrine neoplasms of the breast can be considered a definite clinical entity and if neuroendocrine differentiation of breast tumors has a really clinical relevance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Gallo
- Oncological Endocrinology Unit, Department of Medical Sciences, Città della Salute e della Scienza Hospital, Turin, Italy
- Endocrinology and Metabolic Diseases Unit, AO SS. Antonio e Biagio e Cesare Arrigo, Alessandria, Italy
| | | | - Valentina Di Vito
- Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine, “Sapienza” University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Nicoletta Fortunati
- Oncological Endocrinology Unit, Department of Medical Sciences, Città della Salute e della Scienza Hospital, Turin, Italy
| | - Fabio Lo Calzo
- Endocrinology Unit, Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, University “Federico II”, Naples, Italy
| | - Erika Messina
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | | | - Antongiulio Faggiano
- Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine, “Sapienza” University of Rome, Rome, Italy
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Pedraza-Arévalo S, Gahete MD, Alors-Pérez E, Luque RM, Castaño JP. Multilayered heterogeneity as an intrinsic hallmark of neuroendocrine tumors. Rev Endocr Metab Disord 2018; 19:179-192. [PMID: 30293213 DOI: 10.1007/s11154-018-9465-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) comprise a complex and highly heterogeneous group of neoplasms that can arise all over the body, originating from neuroendocrine cells. NETs are characterized by a general lack of symptoms until they are in advanced phase, and early biomarkers are not as available and useful as required. Heterogeneity is an intrinsic, pivotal feature of NETs that derives from diverse causes and ultimately shapes tumor fate. The different layers that conform NET heterogeneity include a wide range of distinct characteristics, from the mere location of the tumor to its clinical and functional features, and from its cellular properties, to the core signaling and (epi)genetic components defining the molecular signature of the tumor. The importance of this heterogeneity resides in that it translates into a high variability among tumors and, hence, patients, which hinders a more precise diagnosis and prognosis and more efficacious treatment of these diseases. In this review, we highlight the significance of this heterogeneity as an intrinsic hallmark of NETs, its repercussion on clinical approaches and tumor management, and some of the possible factors associated to such heterogeneity, including epigenetic and genetic elements, post-transcriptional regulation, or splicing alterations. Notwithstanding, heterogeneity can also represent a valuable and actionable feature, towards improving medical approaches based on personalized medicine. We conclude that NETs can no longer be viewed as a single disease entity and that their diagnosis, prognosis and treatment must reflect and incorporate this heterogeneity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sergio Pedraza-Arévalo
- Maimonides Institute for Biomedical Research of Cordoba (IMIBIC), Avenida Menéndez Pidal s/n, Edificio IMIBIC, 14004, Córdoba, Spain
- Department of Cell Biology, Physiology, and Immunology, Universidad de Córdoba, Córdoba, Spain
- Reina Sofia University Hospital, Córdoba, Spain
- CIBER Fisiopatología de la Obesidad y Nutrición (CIBERobn), Córdoba, Spain
- Agrifood Campus of International Excellence (ceiA3), Córdoba, Spain
| | - Manuel D Gahete
- Maimonides Institute for Biomedical Research of Cordoba (IMIBIC), Avenida Menéndez Pidal s/n, Edificio IMIBIC, 14004, Córdoba, Spain
- Department of Cell Biology, Physiology, and Immunology, Universidad de Córdoba, Córdoba, Spain
- Reina Sofia University Hospital, Córdoba, Spain
- CIBER Fisiopatología de la Obesidad y Nutrición (CIBERobn), Córdoba, Spain
- Agrifood Campus of International Excellence (ceiA3), Córdoba, Spain
| | - Emilia Alors-Pérez
- Maimonides Institute for Biomedical Research of Cordoba (IMIBIC), Avenida Menéndez Pidal s/n, Edificio IMIBIC, 14004, Córdoba, Spain
- Department of Cell Biology, Physiology, and Immunology, Universidad de Córdoba, Córdoba, Spain
- Reina Sofia University Hospital, Córdoba, Spain
- CIBER Fisiopatología de la Obesidad y Nutrición (CIBERobn), Córdoba, Spain
- Agrifood Campus of International Excellence (ceiA3), Córdoba, Spain
| | - Raúl M Luque
- Maimonides Institute for Biomedical Research of Cordoba (IMIBIC), Avenida Menéndez Pidal s/n, Edificio IMIBIC, 14004, Córdoba, Spain.
- Department of Cell Biology, Physiology, and Immunology, Universidad de Córdoba, Córdoba, Spain.
- Reina Sofia University Hospital, Córdoba, Spain.
- CIBER Fisiopatología de la Obesidad y Nutrición (CIBERobn), Córdoba, Spain.
- Agrifood Campus of International Excellence (ceiA3), Córdoba, Spain.
| | - Justo P Castaño
- Maimonides Institute for Biomedical Research of Cordoba (IMIBIC), Avenida Menéndez Pidal s/n, Edificio IMIBIC, 14004, Córdoba, Spain.
- Department of Cell Biology, Physiology, and Immunology, Universidad de Córdoba, Córdoba, Spain.
- Reina Sofia University Hospital, Córdoba, Spain.
- CIBER Fisiopatología de la Obesidad y Nutrición (CIBERobn), Córdoba, Spain.
- Agrifood Campus of International Excellence (ceiA3), Córdoba, Spain.
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La Rosa S, Sessa F, Uccella S. Mixed Neuroendocrine-Nonneuroendocrine Neoplasms (MiNENs): Unifying the Concept of a Heterogeneous Group of Neoplasms. Endocr Pathol 2016; 27:284-311. [PMID: 27169712 DOI: 10.1007/s12022-016-9432-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 119] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
The wide application of immunohistochemistry to the study of tumors has led to the recognition that epithelial neoplasms composed of both a neuroendocrine and nonneuroendocrine component are not as rare as traditionally believed. It has been recommended that mixed neuroendocrine-nonneuroendocrine epithelial neoplasms are classified as only those in which either component represents at least 30 % of the lesion but this cutoff has not been universally accepted. Moreover, since their pathogenetic and clinical features are still unclear, mixed neuroendocrine-nonneuroendocrine epithelial neoplasms are not included as a separate clinicopathological entity in most WHO classifications, although they have been observed in virtually all organs. In the WHO classification of digestive tumors, mixed neuroendocrine-nonneuroendocrine neoplasm is considered a specific type and is defined as mixed adenoneuroendocrine carcinoma, a definition that has not been accepted for other organs. In fact, this term does not adequately convey the morphological and biological heterogeneity of digestive mixed neoplasms and has created some misunderstanding among both pathologists and clinicians. In the present study, we have reviewed the literature on mixed neuroendocrine-nonneuroendocrine epithelial neoplasms reported in the pituitary, thyroid, nasal cavity, larynx, lung, digestive system, urinary system, male and female genital organs, and skin to give the reader an overview of the most important clinicopathological features and morphological criteria for diagnosing each entity. We also propose to use the term "mixed neuroendocrine-nonneuroendocrine neoplasm (MiNEN)" to define and to unify the concept of this heterogeneous group of neoplasms, which show different characteristics mainly depending on the type of neuroendocrine and nonneuroendocrine components.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefano La Rosa
- Department of Pathology, Ospedale di Circolo, viale Borri 57, 21100, Varese, Italy.
| | - Fausto Sessa
- Department of Surgical and Morphological Sciences, University of Insubria, Varese, Italy
| | - Silvia Uccella
- Department of Surgical and Morphological Sciences, University of Insubria, Varese, Italy
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Bogina G, Munari E, Brunelli M, Bortesi L, Marconi M, Sommaggio M, Lunardi G, Gori S, Massocco A, Pegoraro MC, Zamboni G. Neuroendocrine differentiation in breast carcinoma: clinicopathological features and outcome. Histopathology 2015; 68:422-32. [PMID: 26114478 DOI: 10.1111/his.12766] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2015] [Accepted: 06/22/2015] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
AIMS Primary neuroendocrine (NE) breast carcinoma (BC) is an entity with a wide range of prevalence and poorly defined clinical behaviour. We evaluated the prevalence, clinicopathological features and clinical outcome of NEBC. METHODS AND RESULTS Immunohistochemical staining for synaptophysin and chromogranin A was performed on whole sections from 1232 consecutive cases of invasive BC. We divided NEBC into focal (10-49% positive cells) and diffuse (≥50% positive cells) and compared the outcome of patients with NEBC with strictly matched non-NEBC. A total of 128 BC showed NE differentiation (10.4%): 84 diffuse (6.8%) and 44 focal (3.6%). NE differentiation showed a significant association with T4 stage (P = 0.001), solid-papillary and mucinous histotype (P < 0.0001), G2 grading (P = 0.002), positive oestrogen receptor (ER) (P = 0.003) and progesterone receptor (PR) (P = 0.002). Almost 90% of NEBC were ER(+) /HER2(-) and more than half ER(+) /HER2(-) /Ki67≥14%. Kaplan-Meier analysis revealed that patients with NEBC showed worse disease-free survival (DFS) (P = 0.04) compared to matched non-NEBC. We did not find significant differences regarding clinicopathological features, DFS and CSS between diffuse and focal neuroendocrine BC. CONCLUSIONS This study demonstrates that NEBC represents 7-10% of invasive BC and that NE differentiation does not affect the prognosis of BC in terms of CSS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giuseppe Bogina
- Department of Pathology, Sacro Cuore Hospital of Negrar, Verona, Italy
| | - Enrico Munari
- Department of Pathology, Sacro Cuore Hospital of Negrar, Verona, Italy.,Department of Pathology and Diagnostics, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Matteo Brunelli
- Department of Pathology and Diagnostics, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Laura Bortesi
- Department of Pathology, Sacro Cuore Hospital of Negrar, Verona, Italy
| | - Marcella Marconi
- Department of Pathology, Sacro Cuore Hospital of Negrar, Verona, Italy
| | - Marco Sommaggio
- Department of Pathology, Sacro Cuore Hospital of Negrar, Verona, Italy
| | - Gianluigi Lunardi
- Department of Oncology, Sacro Cuore Hospital of Negrar, Verona, Italy
| | - Stefania Gori
- Department of Oncology, Sacro Cuore Hospital of Negrar, Verona, Italy
| | - Alberto Massocco
- Department of Surgery, Sacro Cuore Hospital of Negrar, Verona, Italy
| | | | - Giuseppe Zamboni
- Department of Pathology, Sacro Cuore Hospital of Negrar, Verona, Italy
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