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News on metaplastic breast cancer?

Page last modified on: October 3, 2008
Question from Cyna: Metaplastic breast cancer is "typically" triple negative. Do you know of any research or news about metaplastic breast cancer? Is there any research being conducted?
Answer —Kathy Miller, M.D.: Metaplastic breast cancer is a rare type of breast cancer that is very different from the typical ductal or lobular breast cancer. Metaplastic breast cancers start in cells that provide the supporting structure for the glandular breast tissue. Since the cells that give rise to metaplastic breast cancer are not part of the normal breast gland, they are always ER- and PR-negative. Because metaplastic breast cancers are relatively rare (less than 1% of all breast cancers), there have been very few studies limited to that type of breast cancer. We do know that they respond to chemotherapy, but we have not been able to compare different treatment options for this rare tumor.

On Wednesday, November 19, 2005, our Ask-the-Expert Online Conference was called Hormone-Receptor-Negative Breast Cancer. Kathy D. Miller, M.D., Marisa Weiss, M.D., and moderator Jennifer Armstrong, M.D. answered your questions about a wide range of issues related to hormone-receptor-negative breast cancer.

The materials presented in these conferences do not necessarily reflect the views of breastcancer.org. A qualified healthcare professional should be consulted before using any therapeutic product or regimen discussed. All readers should verify all information and data before employing any therapies described here.

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Meet the Experts

Kathy D. Miller, M.D.Kathy D. Miller, M.D. is associate professor of medical oncology at Indiana University, and a Sheila D. Ward Scholar.

Marisa Weiss, M.D. is a radiation oncologist specializing in breast cancer and the founder, president, and guiding force behind Breastcancer.org.

Jennifer Armstrong, M.D.Jennifer Armstrong, M.D. is a breast cancer oncologist at Paoli Hematology-Oncology Associates in Paoli, Pa., with a special interest in physicians' communication skills.

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