Abstract
Breast carcinomas that do not express estrogen receptor alpha, progesterone receptor, or human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 are frequently grouped together as "triple negative" and considered an aggressive type of breast malignancy; however, this group is not homogeneous. Adenoid cystic carcinoma of the breast is a rare type of breast cancer with such triple-negative features and, generally, a more favorable clinical course. This comprehensive review describes diagnostic, molecular, and clinical features of adenoid cystic carcinoma and compares them with those of triple-negative breast carcinomas of no special type. (c) 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.