Management of Neuroendocrine Breast Carcinoma (NEBC): Review of Literature

A Mohamed; J Zeidalkilani; S L Asa; M Trybula; Alberto J Montero

doi:10.3389/or.2024.12114

Management of Neuroendocrine Breast Carcinoma (NEBC): Review of Literature

Oncol Rev. 2024 Feb 9:18:12114. doi: 10.3389/or.2024.12114. eCollection 2024.

Authors

A Mohamed¹, J Zeidalkilani², S L Asa³, M Trybula¹, Alberto J Montero¹

Affiliations

¹ Division of Hematology and Medical Oncology, University Hospitals Seidman Cancer Center, Cleveland, OH, United States.
² Department of Medicine, University Hospitals Seidman Cancer Center, Cleveland, OH, United States.
³ Department of Pathology, University Hospitals Seidman Cancer Center, Case Comprehensive Cancer Center, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, United States.

Abstract

Extra pulmonary high-grade poorly differentiated neuroendocrine carcinomas (EP-NECs) are rare tumors that usually arise in the gastrointestinal and genitourinary tracts. Primary neuroendocrine carcinoma of the breast (NEBC) is extremely rare, representing less than 0.1% of all breast cancers and less than 1% of neuroendocrine neoplasms. Consequently, they can be misdiagnosed as other types of breast cancer, however, proper immunohistochemical (IHC) studies can assist with making the correct diagnosis. Management of NEBC can be challenging given the paucity of evidence-based literature and should not routinely follow the therapeutic guidelines of other breast cancers. In this article, we review the current literature regarding the management of NEBC.

Keywords: breast; carcinoma; management; neuroendocrine; review.

Publication types

Review