Invasive breast carcinoma with osteoclast-like stromal giant cells: A case report

BACKGROUND: Invasive breast carcinoma with osteoclast-like stromal giant cells (OGCs) is an extremely rare morphology of breast carcinomas. To the best of our knowledge, the most recent case report describing this rare pathology was published six years ago. The mechanism controlling the development of this unique histological formation is still unknown. Further, the prognosis of patients with OGC involvement is also controversial. CASE SUMMARY: We report the case of a 48-year-old woman, who presented to the outpatient department with a palpable, growing, painless mass in her left breast for about one year. Sonography and mammography revealed a 26.5 mm × 18.8 mm asymmetric, lobular mass with circumscribed margin and the Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System was category 4C. Sono-guided aspiration biopsy revealed invasive ductal carcinoma. The patient underwent breast conserving surgery and was diagnosed with invasive breast carcinoma with OGCs, grade II, with intermediate grade of ductal carcinoma in situ (ER: 80%, 3+, PR: 80%, 3+, HER-2: negative, Ki 67: 30%). Adjuvant chemotherapy and post-operation radiotherapy were initiated thereafter. CONCLUSION: As a rare morphology of breast cancer, breast carcinoma with OGC occurs most often in relatively young women, has less lymph node involvement, and its occurrence is not race-dependent.