Abstract
Mammary carcinoma containing osteoclast-like giant cells (OCGC) is an extremely rare tumor. We have encountered nine additional cases of this tumor, so we investigated is clinico-pathological and immunohistochemical characteristics. Four cases were in StageI, three were in StageIIA, and two were in StageIIB. The tumor size varied from 1.5cm to 6.0cm. Lymph node metastasis was observed in four cases (44%). In all cases, histopathological examination revealed invasive ductal carcinoma containing OCGC among the tumor cell nests. The tumors were grade 2 in all cases, according to the modified Bloom-Richardson classification. Immunohistochemically, estrogen receptor, progesterone receptor and HER2 receptor were positive in five cases, six cases, and one case, respectively. One patient died of the disease five years and ten months after surgery while no signs of recurrence have been seen in the other cases. According to these results, it is possible that the prognosis of mammary carcinoma charaeterized by the piaeuce of OCGC is better than that of ordinary mammary carcinoma.
