Mucinoid breast cancer with neuro-endocrine phenotype in a patient with prolactinoma. Is there a link?

C. Poiana, M. Musat

Abstract: The association of hyperprolactinemia and breast cancer remains a controversial with respect to pathogenesis of breast malignant tumors in humans. We present the case of a 40-year-old woman with prolactinoma who subsequently developed mucinous breast cancer with neuroendocrine differentiation. While serum prolactin was controlled by dopamine agonists for longer than 4 years at the time of breast tumor diagnosis, positive immunostaining for prolactin in the tumor cells supports an autocrine/ paracrine role of prolactin in breast proliferation. A review of literature on prolactin involvement in breast carcinoma is supporting this hypothesis.
DOI:10.18643/gieu.2013.193

Keywords: prolactin, breast cancer, mucinoid, neuro-endocrine, prolactinoma