Apocrine Carcinoma (Apocrine Adenocarcinoma)
Christine J. Ko, MD
David Cassarino, MD, PhD
Key Facts
Clinical Issues
Axilla most common site, but other sites described
No history of breast carcinoma
Indolent or aggressive course
Microscopic Pathology
Dermal/subcutaneous tumor
Tubular, papillary, cord-like, solid, or complex interconnecting glandular patterns
May have cribriform pattern to islands
Cells often hyperchromatic/pleomorphic
Glandular areas lined by cells showing decapitation secretion
Infiltrative growth pattern
Top Differential Diagnoses
Metastatic breast carcinoma
Primary cutaneous adenoid cystic carcinoma
Tubular apocrine adenoma
Hidradenocarcinoma
 Low magnification of apocrine carcinoma shows a dermal mass composed of crowded, tubular, branching, thin cords and islands, many of which contain lumina  . |
 High-magnification view of apocrine carcinoma with perineural invasion  shows glands lined by cuboidal cells surrounding a nerve. Focal snouts and secretions of cytoplasm  are present within the lumina. |
TERMINOLOGY
Synonyms
Cribriform apocrine carcinoma
Definitions
Malignant tumor with apocrine differentiation
CLINICAL ISSUES
Site
Axilla most common site, but other sites described
