Study of Selected BRCA1, BRCA2, and PIK3CA Mutations in Benign and Malignant Lesions of Anogenital Mammary-Like Glands

Am J Dermatopathol. 2017 May;39(5):358-362. doi: 10.1097/DAD.0000000000000725.

Abstract

Anogenital mammary-like glands (AGMLGs) are nowadays considered a normal component of the anogenital area. Lesions involving AGMLGs are histopathologically very similar to their mammary counterparts, but the information on molecular biological mechanisms in these vulvar/perianal tumors is scarce. Mutations in the PI3K-AKT cascade have been found in hidradenoma papilliferum. The authors studied selected BRCA1, BRCA2, and PIK3CA mutations in series of benign and malignant neoplasms thought to be associated with AGMLGs, including 9 cases of primary extramammary Paget disease, 3 different cases of mammary-type carcinoma (adenoid cystic like, tubulolobular, and invasive ductal like), and 5 cases of hidradenoma papilliferum. No BRCA mutation was detected, whereas 3 neoplasms yielded PIK3CA mutation, including extramammary Paget disease, mammary-type invasive ductal carcinoma, and tubulolobular carcinoma. Our study expands the spectrum of lesions of AGMLGs harboring mutations in genes encoding the PI3K-AKT cascade. Further studies of the whole BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes using a larger cohort are needed to clarify their role in the pathogenesis of AGMLG lesions.

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Anus Neoplasms / genetics
  • Anus Neoplasms / pathology
  • BRCA1 Protein / genetics*
  • BRCA2 Protein / genetics*
  • Biopsy, Needle
  • Class I Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases / genetics*
  • Cohort Studies
  • Female
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic
  • Humans
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Mammary Glands, Human / pathology
  • Middle Aged
  • Mutation
  • Paget Disease, Extramammary / genetics*
  • Paget Disease, Extramammary / pathology*
  • Prognosis
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Risk Assessment
  • Vulvar Neoplasms / genetics
  • Vulvar Neoplasms / pathology

Substances

  • BRCA1 Protein
  • BRCA1 protein, human
  • BRCA2 Protein
  • BRCA2 protein, human
  • Class I Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases
  • PIK3CA protein, human