Invasive cribriform carcinoma of the breast: A report of nine cases and a review of the literature

Nine cases of infiltrating cribriform carcinoma (ICC) of the breast are reported and the clinicopathological features, particularly the imaging findings, are analyzed in the present study. Sonograms revealed that all masses exhibited a hypoechoic internal echo texture (9/9) and that a number of masses presented with an irregular shape (8/9), obscure boundary (5/9), partially microlobulated (5/9) or well-circumscribed (4/9) margins, and an inhomogeneous echo (8/9). Mammographic imaging revealed increased radiological density masses (6/8), and sand-like calcification was not observed in all patients. In two patients, the tumors were mammographically occult. Magnetic resonance imaging performed on one patient revealed a slightly high signal intensity on fat-saturated T1- and T2-weighted images. Following contrast enhancement, a homogeneous early enhancement was revealed with a quick ascent and quick descent time-density curve. Immunohistochemistry revealed that all ICCs expressed estrogen receptor and progesterone receptor, but that none were positive for human epidermal growth factor receptor 2. The Ki-67 labeling index was 3.75% (range, 2–5%) in the tumor tissue. Four patients were treated with mastectomy and the others with breast-conserving surgery. Six clinically node-negative patients underwent sentinel lymph node biopsy; three then received axillary lymph node dissection. Following surgery, three patients received adjuvant chemotherapy, radiotherapy and hormonal therapy, respectively. With a median follow-up time of 38 months (range, 4–70 months), one patient developed local recurrence following breast-conserving surgery; axillary lymph nodes and distant metastases were not observed. This study confirms that this type of carcinoma has unique biological characteristics and a favorable prognosis, but that it remains possible to experience local recurrence.