Synonyms
Clear cells of the nipple
Definition
Toker cells (TC) are clear elements that can be seen in the lower layers of the epidermis of the nipple as single elements and, more rarely, as small glands (Toker 1970).
Hyperplastic TC lacks a definition. It has been suggested to consider hyperplastic cases showing (a) clusters of >7 TC (van der Putte et al. 1995), or (b) 10–20 single cells and 3–10 glands (Di Tommaso et al. 2008), or (c) clusters of >3 CK7+ cells (Nofech-Mozes and Hanna 2009). From a practical point of view, normal TC disappear after few recuts, while hyperplastic TC are retained or even increased after several recuts.
Atypical TC are those exhibiting “cytologic atypism of a degree insufficient for an un- equivocal diagnosis of cancerous change” (Toker 1970). This mild to moderate atypia shows up in terms of irregular nuclear contour, increased nuclear size, and small eosinophilic nucleoli. Also, atypical TC are retained after several recuts (Figs. 1, 2, 3, and 4).
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
References and Further Reading
Di Tommaso, L., Franchi, G., Destro, A., Broglia, F., Minuti, F., Rahal, D., & Roncalli, M. (2008). Toker cells of the breast. Morphological and immunohistochemical characterization of 40 cases. Human Pathology, 39, 1295–1300.
Lundquist, K., Kohler, S., & Rouse, R. V. (1999). Intraepidermal cytokeratin 7 expression is not restricted to Paget cells but is also seen in Toker cells and Merkel cells. American Journal of Surgical Pathology, 23, 212–219.
Marucci, G., Betts, C. M., Golouh, R., Peterse, J. L., Foschini, M. P., & Eusebi, V. (2002). Toker cells are probably precursors of Paget cell carcinoma: a morphological and ultrastructural description. Virchows Archiv, 441, 117–123.
Morandi, L., Pession, A., Marucci, G. L., Foschini, M. P., Pruneri, G., Viale, G., & Eusebi, V. (2003). Intraepidermal cells of Paget’s carcinoma of the breast can be genetically different from those of the underlying carcinoma. Human Pathology, 34, 1321–1330.
Nofech-Mozes, S., & Hanna, W. (2009). Toker cells revisited. The Breast Journal, 15, 394–398.
Toker, C. (1970). Clear cells of the nipple epidermis. Cancer, 25, 601–610.
van der Putte, S. C. (2011). Clear cells of Toker in the developing anogenital region of male and female fetuses. American Journal of Dermatopathology, 33, 811–818.
van der Putte, S. C., Toonstra, J., & Hennipman, A. (1995). Mammary Paget’s disease confined to the areola and associated with multifocal Toker cell hyperplasia. American Journal of Dermatopathology, 17, 487–493.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2020 Springer Nature Switzerland AG
About this entry
Cite this entry
Di Tommaso, L. (2020). Toker Cells of the Nipple. In: Sapino, A., Kulka, J. (eds) Breast Pathology. Encyclopedia of Pathology. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-62539-3_4769
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-62539-3_4769
Published:
Publisher Name: Springer, Cham
Print ISBN: 978-3-319-62538-6
Online ISBN: 978-3-319-62539-3
eBook Packages: MedicineReference Module Medicine