National Center for Advancing and Translational Sciences Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center, a program of the National Center for Advancing and Translational Sciences

Metaplastic carcinoma of the breast


Other Names:
Metaplastic breast cancer
Categories:
Metaplastic carcinoma of the breast is a rare form of breast cancer. The tumor cells differ in type from that of the typical ductal or lobular breast cancers. The cells look like skin cells or cells that make bone. Some women experience no early signs or symptoms, while others experience general symptoms of breast cancers, such as new breast lumps. Treatment of metaplastic carcinoma of the breast is similar to that of invasive ductal cancer.[1]
Last updated: 6/22/2011
Metaplastic carcinoma of the breast is a rare condition. The exact prevalence is not known. While estimates vary, it is thought to account for less than 1% of all breast cancers.[2]

In the broad sense, metaplastic carcinoma of the breast is also genetic. All cancers involve genetic changes in affected cells. Currently, no inherited genetic predisposing risk factors have been identified. The underlying cause of this cancer is unknown.[3]
Last updated: 6/22/2011

Support and advocacy groups can help you connect with other patients and families, and they can provide valuable services. Many develop patient-centered information and are the driving force behind research for better treatments and possible cures. They can direct you to research, resources, and services. Many organizations also have experts who serve as medical advisors or provide lists of doctors/clinics. Visit the group’s website or contact them to learn about the services they offer. Inclusion on this list is not an endorsement by GARD.

Organizations Supporting this Disease

Organizations Providing General Support

Living with a genetic or rare disease can impact the daily lives of patients and families. These resources can help families navigate various aspects of living with a rare disease.

Financial Resources

  • Patient Access Network Foundation (PAN Foundation) has Assistance Programs for those with health insurance who reside in the United States. The disease fund status can change over time, so you may need to check back if funds are not currently available. 
  • The Assistance Fund provides various services, including education and financial aid, to help patients with a chronic or serious illness cover the cost of FDA-approved medications. Patients must be U.S citizens or permanent residents.

These resources provide more information about this condition or associated symptoms. The in-depth resources contain medical and scientific language that may be hard to understand. You may want to review these resources with a medical professional.

Where to Start

  • The Johns Hopkins Medicine Web site has an information page on metaplastic carcinoma of the breast. Click on the link to view the information page.
  • The Cancer.Net provides comprehensive information on this topic for patients and their families. Click on the link to visit Cancer.Net and view a description of metaplastic carcinoma of the breast. To view additional information, click on "Next >" which is located at the bottom of their Web pages.
  • The Stanford School of Medicine Web site provides technical information regarding the diagnosis of metaplastic carcinoma of the breast. Click on the link to view the information page.

In-Depth Information

  • The Monarch Initiative brings together data about this condition from humans and other species to help physicians and biomedical researchers. Monarch’s tools are designed to make it easier to compare the signs and symptoms (phenotypes) of different diseases and discover common features. This initiative is a collaboration between several academic institutions across the world and is funded by the National Institutes of Health. Visit the website to explore the biology of this condition.
  • Orphanet is a European reference portal for information on rare diseases and orphan drugs. Access to this database is free of charge.
  • PubMed is a searchable database of medical literature and lists journal articles that discuss Metaplastic carcinoma of the breast. Click on the link to view a sample search on this topic.

Selected Full-Text Journal Articles

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  • Is metaplastic carcinoma of the breast considered a genetic and rare disease? See answer


  1. What is breast cancer?. American Cancer Society. http://www.cancer.org/Cancer/BreastCancer/DetailedGuide/breast-cancer-what-is-breast-cancer. Accessed 6/21/2011.
  2. Smitt MC. . Metaplastic breast cancer. Clin Breast Cancer. 2003 Aug; 4(3):210-1; http://cigjournals.metapress.com/content/563q0180h65p7618/fulltext.pdf. Accessed 6/21/2011.
  3. Breast cancer Metaplastic: Risk factors. American Society of Clinical Oncology. http://www.cancer.net/patient/Cancer+Types/Breast+Cancer+-+Metaplastic?sectionTitle=Risk%20Factors. Accessed 6/21/2011.