Metaplastic Carcinoma

Metaplastic carcinoma grows at a relatively rapid rate and is rare, accounting for approximately 0.3% of all breast cancers. It represents a group of invasive breast cancers where a portion of the tumor's cells transforms into an alternate cell type. On average, patients with this disease are about a year and a half older than those with other breast cancers, are more likely to be African-American, have larger tumors with more abnormal cells at diagnosis. These patients are more likely to have estrogen-negative tumors and negative axillary (arm pit) lymph nodes.

The prognosis for metaplastic carcinoma patients is similar to that of those who have invasive cancers that don't fall under a specific category.