Secretory carcinoma


Breast Tumours (WHO Classification, 5th ed.)

Primary Author(s)*

Hui Chen, MD, PhD, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA

Katherine Geiersbach, MD, Mayo Clinic - Rochester, MN, USA

WHO Classification of Disease

Structure Disease
Book Breast Tumours (5th ed.)
Category Epithelial tumours of the breast
Family Rare and salivary gland-type tumours: Introduction
Type Secretory carcinoma
Subtype(s) N/A

WHO Essential and Desirable Genetic Diagnostic Criteria

WHO Essential Criteria (Genetics)*
WHO Desirable Criteria (Genetics)* ETV6::NTRK3 fusion
Other Classification

*Note: These are only the genetic/genomic criteria. Additional diagnostic criteria can be found in the WHO Classification of Tumours.

Related Terminology

Acceptable
Not Recommended

Gene Rearrangements


Driver Gene Fusion(s) and Common Partner Genes Molecular Pathogenesis Typical Chromosomal Alteration(s) Prevalence -Common >20%, Recurrent 5-20% or Rare <5% (Disease) Diagnostic, Prognostic, and Therapeutic Significance - D, P, T Established Clinical Significance Per Guidelines - Yes or No (Source) Clinical Relevance Details/Other Notes
NTRK3 ETV6::NTRK3[1] Fusion results in constitutive activation of NTRK3 tyrosine kinase t(12;15)(p13;q25) Common D, P, T The ETV6::NTRK3 fusion is diagnostic of secretory carcinoma in the appropriate morphologic and clinical context.[2][3][4] This fusion is responsive to TRK inhibitor therapies such as larotrectinib abd entrectinib.


Individual Region Genomic Gain/Loss/LOH


Chr # Gain, Loss, Amp, LOH Minimal Region Cytoband and/or Genomic Coordinates [Genome Build; Size] Relevant Gene(s) Diagnostic, Prognostic, and Therapeutic Significance - D, P, T Established Clinical Significance Per Guidelines - Yes or No (Source) Clinical Relevance Details/Other Notes


Characteristic Chromosomal or Other Global Mutational Patterns


Chromosomal Pattern Molecular Pathogenesis Prevalence -

Common >20%, Recurrent 5-20% or Rare <5% (Disease)

Diagnostic, Prognostic, and Therapeutic Significance - D, P, T Established Clinical Significance Per Guidelines - Yes or No (Source) Clinical Relevance Details/Other Notes


Gene Mutations (SNV/INDEL)

Gene Genetic Alteration Tumor Suppressor Gene, Oncogene, Other Prevalence -

Common >20%, Recurrent 5-20% or Rare <5% (Disease)

Diagnostic, Prognostic, and Therapeutic Significance - D, P, T   Established Clinical Significance Per Guidelines - Yes or No (Source) Clinical Relevance Details/Other Notes

Note: A more extensive list of mutations can be found in cBioportal, COSMIC, and/or other databases. When applicable, gene-specific pages within the CCGA site directly link to pertinent external content.


Epigenomic Alterations


Genes and Main Pathways Involved


Gene; Genetic Alteration Pathway Pathophysiologic Outcome
NTRK3; Activating fusion with 5' partner ETV6 MAPK/PI3K/AKT signaling Increased cell growth and proliferation


Genetic Diagnostic Testing Methods

FISH, RT-PCR, next generation sequencing

Familial Forms

None

Additional Information


Links

https://www.pathologyoutlines.com/topic/breastmalignantjuvenile.html


Notes

Prior Author(s):

References

  1. Tognon, Cristina; et al. (2002-11). "Expression of the ETV6-NTRK3 gene fusion as a primary event in human secretory breast carcinoma". Cancer Cell. 2 (5): 367–376. doi:10.1016/s1535-6108(02)00180-0. ISSN 1535-6108. PMID 12450792. Check date values in: |date= (help)
  2. Arce, C.; et al. (2005-06-17). "Secretory carcinoma of the breast containing the ETV6-NTRK3 fusion gene in a male: case report and review of the literature". World Journal of Surgical Oncology. 3: 35. doi:10.1186/1477-7819-3-35. ISSN 1477-7819. PMC 1184104. PMID 15963235.
  3. Jacob, John Doromal; et al. (2016-06). "Rare breast cancer: 246 invasive secretory carcinomas from the National Cancer Data Base". Journal of Surgical Oncology. 113 (7): 721–725. doi:10.1002/jso.24241. ISSN 1096-9098. PMID 27040042. Check date values in: |date= (help)
  4. Li, Dali; et al. (2012-04). "Secretory breast carcinoma: a clinicopathological and immunophenotypic study of 15 cases with a review of the literature". Modern Pathology: An Official Journal of the United States and Canadian Academy of Pathology, Inc. 25 (4): 567–575. doi:10.1038/modpathol.2011.190. ISSN 1530-0285. PMID 22157932. Check date values in: |date= (help)

*Citation of this Page: “Secretory carcinoma”. Compendium of Cancer Genome Aberrations (CCGA), Cancer Genomics Consortium (CGC), updated 04/16/2025, https://ccga.io/index.php/BRST5:Secretory carcinoma.