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

Carcinoma of the breast containing osteoclast-like giant cells is uncommon and described in less than 2% of breast cancer patients [1‐3]. In addition, osteoclast-like giant cells are described in a ductal carcinoma in situ and metaplastic carcinomas of the breast [4, 5], although the stromal origin of the giant cells is unknown. Immunohistochemical and ultrastructural studies suggest that the osteoclast-like giant cells are of stromal histiocytic origin or might be differentiated from macrophages [6‐9]. The characteristic multinucleated giant cells are found at the periphery of the tumor cells and within the glandular luminal spaces in primary in situ, invasive breast cancers and in metastases. We report the first case of a multifocal invasive ductal breast cancer with osteoclast-like giant cells.

A 64-year-old Caucasian woman presented for routine mammography screening within the National Mammography Screening Program. She had no known family history of breast cancer and denied recent signs or symptoms of breast disease on her intake questionnaire.

The digital mammogram showed three radiopaque lesions in the lower inner quadrant of the right breast, which were readily detectable in both the mediolateral oblique and craniocaudal projection views (Figure 1). The density of the breast tissue was estimated as type 2 according to the classification system of the American College of Radiology (low-density, fibroglandular tissue). Round microcalcifications were found to be diffusely distributed in both breasts.

Each of the three lesions in the right lower inner quadrant had slightly irregular margins and measured 0.7 cm × 0.9 cm. Since these lesions were absent in the previous screening mammogram performed two years earlier (Figure 2), they were considered suspicious for multifocal breast cancer (Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System (BI-RADS) category 4B). Therefore, the woman was called back into the screening center for further evaluation. A craniocaudal spot compression view focused on the three lesions was obtained. On this view, the radiodense lesions with irregular margins were easily distinguished from the surrounding fat tissue (Figure 3).

A breast ultrasound was performed, and in the right inner lower quadrant the lesions were visible as complex masses with irregular margins and inhomogeneous internal echoes (BI-RADS analogue 4). The left breast as well as the ipsilateral and contralateral axillary lymph nodes were normal.

Since there was a good correlation between the suspicious mammographic lesions and the ultrasound image, an ultrasound-guided core needle biopsy was performed for each of the three tumors. Five specimens were thereby obtained confirming the diagnosis of multifocal invasive cancer. Because of the multifocal character of the breast cancer, a bilateral breast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan was obtained to exclude further lesions. Eleven days after the woman's first contact with the screening center, the interdisciplinary tumor board recommended breast-conserving surgery and sentinel node biopsy following preoperative needle localization of the tumor.

As the foci were lying close together in one quadrant, a breast-preserving operation could be performed. Additionally, a sentinel node marking and a sentinel node biopsy were induced by clinically and sonographically negative axillary results.

For the operation, the three foci were portrayed preoperatively using sonography with a needle marking. First, the sentinel node biopsy was carried out. After marking with Nanocoll technetium-99 m (Gipharma Sri, Saluggia Vercelli, Italy) a sentinel node was portrayed in the right axilla by lymphscintigraphy. Intraoperative 1.5 ml Acid Blue solution (Guerbet, Sulzbach, Taunus, Germany) was additionally injected peritumorally, and the axilla was examined using a gamma probe. A focus of heightened activity showed up in the right lower axilla. A radioactively marked lymph node was found during the preparation of the axilla. There were no other foci of heightened activity. The frozen section examination of the sentinel node was negative.

Afterward a breast-preserving excision including a skin spindle was performed. The excision contained all the invasive foci and presented clear margins. For reconstruction, intramammary wound closure with an advancement plastic of breast tissue was installed into the defect. Postoperative proper wound healing was observed.

An intraoperative investigation of a breast specimen weighing 31 g and measuring 8 cm × 5 cm × 3 cm was undertaken to examine the resection margins. Also, one sentinel node was examined to exclude metastases. In the macroscopic examination, three neighboring foci showing a brown incision surface and measuring 1.2 cm, 0.8 cm and 0.6 cm were found (Figure 4). The specimens were routinely fixated in 4% buffered formalin, embedded in paraffin and sectioned into 3 μm to 4 μm thick sections. Then the specimens were routinely stained with hematoxylin and eosin. Also, they were immunohistochemically stained with the primary antibodies Cytokeratin 5/6 (Cell Marque) (Roche Ventana Medical Systems, Illkirch, France), Cytokeratin 7 (Roche Ventana), Vimentin (Roche Ventana), CD68 (Roche Ventana), Estrogen Receptor (Roche Ventana), Progesterone Receptor (Roche Ventana), human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) (Roche Ventana) and Ki-67 antigen (Roche Ventana) using the ultraView™ Universal Alkaline Phosphatase Red Detection Kit (Roche Ventana) on the Roche Ventana benchmark with on-slide positive controls. All Ventana kits are ready to use.

Microscopic examination showed three foci of an invasive ductal carcinoma with a moderate amount tubule formations, moderate nuclear pleomorphism with visible nucleoli and 8 mitoses/10 high-power fields following the grading of Elston and Ellis [12] (Figures 5 and 6). No squamous cells or other metaplasia were exhibited in any of the foci. On the basis of immunohistochemistry, we detected a positive reaction for cytokeratin 7 and a negative reaction for cytokeratin 5/6 and vimentin in the epithelial tumor cells (Figure 7). Using the Allred score, the estrogen and progesterone receptors were similarly positive in all three foci (Proportion Score 5 + Intensity Score 3 = Total Score 8) (Figures 8 and 9), and in accordance with the Dako score, we detected a HER2 score of 0 (negative) (Figure 10). The Nottingham grade for invasive cancer was 0.2 × 1.2 + (G) 2 + 0 = 3.4; Nottingham Prognostic Index score 3.4 (intermediate). The giant cells contained numerous uniform nuclei and eosinophilic cytoplasm and had an appearance identical to an osteoclast. Immunohistochemically, the giant cells showed a positive reaction for vimentin and CD68 (Figure 11) and a negative reaction for the cytokeratins and the hormone receptors.

Owing to the tumor entity, there is a heightened risk of a systemic recurrence. Anthracycline-based chemotherapy with four cycles of epirubicin 90 mg/m² and cyclophosphamide 600 mg/m² was added as there was an overexpression of plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1, 54 ng/mg; urokinase plasminogen activator, 1.1 ng/mg) as a prediction of the effectiveness for adjuvant chemotherapy. Our patient was treated with continuation of adjuvant therapy with aromatase inhibitor and radiation of the breast with 50.4 dye plus local boost radiotherapy of the tumor bed.

To the best of our knowledge, we present the first case report of a multifocal invasive ductal breast cancer with osteoclast-like giant cells. Osteoclast-like giant cells are rare in breast cancer, and the prognostic significance of their presence is uncertain [10, 11]. Immunohistochemical and ultrastructural studies suggest that the osteoclast-like giant cells are of stromal histiocytic origin or possibly are terminally differentiated from macrophages. We detected three neighboring foci of an invasive ductal breast cancer with giant cells containing numerous uniform nuclei and eosinophilic cytoplasm adjacent to the epithelial tumor cells, an appearance identical to osteoclasts. 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.

Written informed consent was obtained from the patient for publication of this case report and accompanying images. A copy of the written consent is available for review by the Editor-in-Chief of this journal.