Maintenance of polarity and a dual cell population in adenoid cystic carcinoma of the breast: an immunohistochemical study

Abstract

ACC of the breast is characterized by the presence of two types of intercellular lumens, one conserving basolateral markers of normal polarity (epithelial) with the other containing basement membrane material (abutted by myoepithelial cells). Dominance of VM staining may be a hallmark of ACC, along with maintained epithelial and myoeithelial compartments. This status of advanced, normal differentiation despite local invasion may be responsible for lack of distant metastasis.