1Postgraduate, Department of Pathology, Sree Balaji Medical College and Hospital, Chennai
2Associate Professor, Department of Pathology, Sree Balaji Medical College and Hospital, Chennai
3Head of the Department and Professor of Pathology, Sree Balaji Medical College and Hospital, Chennai
4Associate Professor, Department of Pathology, Sree Balaji Medical College and Hospital, Chennai
Received: 16th Dec, 2025; Revised: 8th Feb 2026; Accepted: 12th Feb, 2026; Available Online: 28th Feb, 2026
Apocrine carcinoma of the breast is a rare histological subtype of invasive breast carcinoma, accounting for less than 1% of all breast malignancies. It is characterized by large cells with abundant eosinophilic granular cytoplasm and distinct cytoplasmic borders, exhibiting apocrine differentiation both morphologically and immunohistochemically. These tumors typically express androgen receptor (AR) and are negative for estrogen receptor (ER) and progesterone receptor (PR) and overexpression for Her-2/neu forming a distinct molecular apocrine profile. Clinically, patients often present with a palpable breast lump, however, its biological behavior tends to be less aggressive. Diagnosis relies on histopathological examination supported by immunohistochemical studies. Recent research has focused on the role of AR-targeted therapies, which may offer potential benefit in this subset. Understanding the pathological features, molecular profile, and therapeutic implications of apocrine carcinoma is essential for accurate diagnosis and optimized patient management.
Keywords: Apocrine carcinoma, androgen receptor, eosinophilic granular cytoplasm, breast carcinoma.
How to cite this article: Pazhambalacode VV, Anbukkarasi K, Lilly M, Gali V, The Apocrine Twist:A Rare Variant Of Breast Carcinoma. Int J Drug Deliv Technol. 2026; 16(2): 339-345; DOI: 10.25258/ijddt.16.2.37
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Conflict of interest: None