Nodular fasciitis of the breast

Nodular fasciitis of the breast is a rare, benign, soft-tissue tumor that can clinically and radiologically mimic invasive ductal carcinoma. A 25-year-old woman presented with a palpable lesion in the lower inner aspect of the left breast. Radiologically, breast carcinoma could not be excluded. On examination of the core needle biopsy, the tumor was characterized histologically as a spindle cell tumor. Excisional biopsy was performed. The tumor was diagnosed as nodular fasciitis of the breast. The imaging and histological findings of this case are presented.     

Nodular fasciitis of the breast

We report a case of nodular fasciitis of the breast, which is a rare histological type of breast tumor. A 41-year-old woman had noticed a mass in her right breast. The mass was elastic-hard, 15 mm x 15 mm in size, and located mainly in the upper outer quadrant of the right breast. Mammography demonstrated an oval dense mass with spiculation. Ultrasonography revealed a hypoechoic lesion, 8 mm x 10 mm in size. Fine needle aspiration cytology and core needle biopsy showed no evidence of malignancy. Excisional biopsy was performed. The tumor was characterized by a proliferation of fibroblastic cells. Histologically, the excised tumor was consistent with nodular fasciitis of the breast. Nodular fasciitis should be considered in the differential diagnosis of a mass suspicious for breast cancer.     

Granular cell tumor of the breast: A case report describing dynamic MR mammography

A case of granular cell tumor of the breast in a 36-year-old woman is reported. The patient presented with a hard mass, 1.5 cm in diameter in the upper-outer quadrant of the left breast. Physical examination and ultrasonography suggested the presence of breast carcinoma. An aspiration biopsy cytology (ABC) specimen was evaluated as class II, and dynamic magnetic resonance (MR) mammography indicated a benign tumor. Granular cell tumor was finally diagnosed on examination of an excisional biopsy specimen. Granular cell tumor of the breast can mimic breast carcinoma on physical examination, mammography, ultrasonography, and even gross inspection. Dynamic MR mammography has the potential distinguish this condition from carcinoma. Awareness of this disease and prudent use of diagnostic procedures, including MR mammography, will help prevent misdiagnosis and unnecessary surgery.     

Two cases of ductal adenoma of the Breast

We encountered two cases of ductal adenoma of the breast. In the first case, a 32-year-old woman presented with a two-year history of a left breast lump. Previous ultrasonography had demonstrated three tumors which were thought to be most likely fibroadenoma. On excisional biopsy of the largest , intraoperative pathological examination of frozen sections was suspicious for ductal carcinoma with a differential diagnosis of intraductal papilloma or intraductal papillary carcinoma. Ductal adenoma was diagnosed after pathological examination of the permanent sections. The second case was a 64-year-old woman who presented with a hard lump in her left breast. Mammography and ultrasonography demonstrated images typical of carcinoma. Aspiration biopsy cytology (ABC) repeated twice was reported as " indeterminate". Excisional biopsy was later done. Ductal adenoma (sclerosing papilloma) with hemorrhagic infarction was diagnosed. It is noteworthy that ductal adenoma have clinical and histopathological features that should be differentiated from carcinoma, especially when the tumor is accompanied by secondary changes such as hemorrhage or infarction.     

A case of locally advanced breast cancer successfully treated by pre-operative systemic therapy using paclitaxel and trastuzumab

A 53-year-old woman with locally advanced breast cancer exhibiting skin edema and axial lymph-node swelling was treated by pre-operative systemic therapy. A core needle biopsy revealed the tumor to be a solid-tubular carcinoma which was hormone receptor-negative and HER2-positive. Six courses of an anthracycline-based regimen (5-fluorouracil, epirubicin, cyclophosphamide; FEC) and 6 weekly courses of paclitaxel concomitant with trastuzumab were sequentially administered. After those treatments, the tumor presented as clinically CR. An incisional biopsy of the left breast showed that the tumor was completely eliminated, with ductal carcinoma absent upon pathological examination.     

Preoperative discrimination of fibroadenoma which is clinically and cytologically indistinguishable from breast carcinoma through clonal analysis of fine needle aspirate of tumor: Report of a case

Recently, it has been demonstrated that breast carcimoma is monoclonal and fibroadenoma is polyclonal in origin. In the present case report, this observation was successfully applied to a preoperative differential diagnosis of a fibroadenoma clinically and cytologically indistinguishable from carcimoma. Case report: A45-year old female presented for clinical examination with a history of breast lump. A firm tumor measuring 2 x 2 cm was palpable in the upper-outer quadrant of @the left breast. The margin of the tumor was partially ill-defined and its mobility was restricted. A tumor shadow with a partially ill-defined margin was revealed by mammography. Ultrasonographic examination showed and irregularly-shaped, hypo-echoic tumor accompanied by an acoustic shadow. Fine needle aspiration biopsy yielded positive cytology. Based on these results, the tumor was diagnosed as breast carcinoma. However, clonal analysis of fine needle aspirates showed a polyclonal pattern, strongly indicating that the tumor was not a carcinoma but benign disease; most probably fibroadenoma. Thus, an open surgical biopsy was performed. Histoglogical examination revealed that the tumor was indeed a fibroadenoma with epithelial hyperplasia. This case suggests the usefulness of clonal analysis of fine needle aspirates in differentiating fibroadenoma from carcinoma of the breast.     

Borderline Phyllodes Tumor with an Incidental Invasive Tubular Carcinoma and Lobular Carcinoma In Situ Component: A Case Report

Phyllodes tumors are an infrequent breast tumor presentation. A phyllodes tumor with a synchronous invasive ductal carcinoma is rarely described and has never been reported with lobular carcinoma in situ component. A 53-year-old female presented with a nine-year history of twice core biopsy proven fibroadenoma. After an increase in the tumor''s growth velocity it was decided upon to undergo an excisional biopsy. Microscopic examination of the well-circumscribed pale-tan mass found focal areas of leaf like architecture with variable number of mitoses present, representing a phyllodes tumor of borderline malignant potential. Incidentally, at one edge of the mass was found a tubular carcinoma and lobular carcinoma in situ components. Thorough, routine follow-up of patients with biopsy proven benign breast masses is important to finding a masked malignant component.     

Mucocele-like tumor of the breast: a case report and assessment of aspirated cytological specimens

Background: Mucocele-like tumor (MLT) is a rare benign condition, and often misdiagnosed as mucinous carcinoma. Methods: We encountered a 31-year-old woman with MLT of the breast. The patient presented with an elastic hard mass, 0.5 cm in diameter, located in the upper outer quadrant of the right breast. Results: Physical examination as well as ultrasonography and mammography indicated a benign lesion. However, mucinous carcinoma was suspected based on aspiration biopsy cytology. MLT was finally diagnosed on excisional biopsy. Conclusions: Awareness of this breast disease helps to prevent misdiagnosis and unnecessary surgery.     

A case of endocrine ductal carcinoma of the breast

A case of endocrine ductal carcinoma of the breast is presented. A 65-year-old woman was admitted with complaints of left breast mass and pain. Physical examination, mammography, ultrasonography, and computed tomography showed a mass 5 cm in diameter in the left breast suggestive of breast cancer, and incisional biopsy confirmed ductal carcinoma. Auchincloss's mastectomy was performed. The tumor, 4.0 x 3.8 cm in size, consisted of a relatively uniform proliferation of tumor cells with round nuclei and abundant eosinophilic cytoplasm. Immunohistochemically, tumors cells were positive for chromogranin A, synaptophysin, and neuron-specific enolase. Endocrine ductal carcinoma with invasion was diagnosed. No lymph node metastasis was observed, and estrogen and progesterone receptors were positive.     

Nodular fasciitis of the breast simulating breast cancer on imaging

Nodular fasciitis is a rare benign soft tissue tumour of the breast that clinically and radiologically can mimic invasive duct carcinoma. The clinical, radiological and pathological findings of nodular fasciitis of the breast in a 38‐year‐old woman, who presented with a palpable lesion in the upper inner aspect of the left breast, are described. The tumour is characterized histologically by a stellate spindle cell tumour with a focal myxoid background containing scattered inflammatory cells and microhaemorrhages. Pathological assessment of the lesion is essential in making the diagnosis.     

Concurrent lymphoma and metastatic breast carcinoma in the axillary, confounding sentinel lymph-node biopsy.

We describe the case of a female patient who presented with the concurrence of two tumors, breast cancer and low grade lymphoma, in different nodes but in the same axillary lymphatic site. The sentinel node biopsy procedure for the detection of carcinoma cells in two well-identified sentinel nodes which had been colonised by lymphoplasmocytic cells was negative. Tumor collision lead to a mistake in the appropriate staging of the breast tumor by sentinel lymph-node biopsy. We believe that sentinel lymph-node biopsy should be avoided in cases of lymphoma.     

Metastatic Prostatic Adenocarcinoma Mimicking Inflammatory Breast Carcinoma: A Case Report

Prostate adenocarcinoma can manifest as a fairly indolent tumor or as a very aggressive cancer with significant invasive and metastatic potential. Common metastatic sites include bone, liver, lymph nodes, and adrenal glands. Dermatologic manifestations are rare. We present a case of a man who presented with breast skin changes that mimicked inflammatory breast carcinoma with specialized testing ultimately giving a diagnosis of metastatic prostatic adenocarcinoma. A 78-year-old man presented with left breast redness and swelling. Examination revealed an erythematous rash with subcutaneous edema over the left hemithoracic area. A breast ultrasound showed no focal mass, and a breast core biopsy had no evidence of tumor. A skin biopsy showed metastatic carcinoma in dermal lymphatics, and the tumor was found to have no estrogen or progesterone receptors or HER2 expression. Computed tomography scans, positron emission tomography, and a nuclear bone scan revealed widespread skeletal metastases. The patient received a 3-month course of capecitabine and cyclophosphamide with no improvement in his skin lesions. Subsequent immunohistochemical staining on the tumor specimen was positive for prostate-specific antigen (PSA) and α-methyl-CoA-racemase, confirming a diagnosis of metastatic prostatic adenocarcinoma. He received leuprolide and bicalutamide and demonstrated significant improvement with near-complete resolution of his skin lesions and a decrease in his PSA level. Prostatic adenocarcinoma presenting initially as a breast malignancy is a rarely recognizable clinical event. Undoubtedly, increased awareness and recognition of the rare entity described herein will allow for the prompt initiation of specific therapies, which might be of benefit to many patients.     

Duodenal metastasis from recurrent invasive lobular carcinoma of breast: a case report and literature review

We present a rare case of duodenal metastasis from invasive breast lobular carcinoma, which first presented clinically as elevated serum tumor marker levels, followed by jaundice but with no other clinical evidence of recurrence and metastasis. A 53-year-old woman underwent modified radical mastectomy of the left breast (pT2 N3 M0 stage III c) followed by postoperative chemo-radiotherapy and hormonal therapy. After about 3 years, the patient presented with elevated serum tumor marker levels and mild jaundice. She was subsequently admitted to the hospital for nausea and severe vomiting. A duodenoscopy revealed the thickening of duodenal papilla on the lateral wall and stenosis. A duodenal tissue biopsy revealed poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma, and immunohistochemical staining suggested that the carcinoma was of breast origin. The patient received further radiation and chemotherapy. Although duodenal metastases of breast cancer are rare, physicans should be alert and vigilant when a patient with a history of breast cancer presents with new gastrointestinal symptoms.     

Biopsy results of new calcifications in the postirradiated breast

A breast biopsy was performed in 19 patients for the finding of new mammographic calcifications without an associated palpable or mammographic mass after breast-conserving surgery and definitive irradiation for early stage breast cancer. The interval postradiotherapy was 9 to 96 months with a median of 34 months. Eleven of the biopsy specimens (58%) were positive for recurrent breast cancer and eight (42%) were negative. The pathologic results from the positive biopsy specimens showed four with invasive ductal carcinoma, two with microinvasive ductal carcinoma, four with intraductal carcinoma, and one with lobular carcinoma in situ (LCIS). Treatment consisted of mastectomy in eight patients, mastectomy plus chemotherapy in one patient, and biopsy for the patient with LCIS. One patient refused a recommended mastectomy. All 11 patients with recurrent carcinoma are alive with no evidence of disease after salvage therapy, although follow-up is short (median, 14 months; range, 0-48 months). Calcifications which developed in a quadrant different from the initial tumor tended to be malignant with four of five having a positive biopsy result. Microcalcifications were not commonly associated with the initial tumor with only five of 19 having microcalcifications. These results show that the development of new calcifications in the postirradiated breast is associated with a positive biopsy rate of 58% and that the tumors which are found tend to be early and potentially salvageable. The positive biopsy rate of 58% in the postirradiated breast is in marked contrast to the lower positive biopsy rate for microcalcifications in the nonirradiated breast as reported in the literature.     

Case report of pseudoaneurysm caused by core needle biopsy of the breast

We treated a patient with a pseudoaneurysm caused by core needle biopsy (CNB), in which both the cancer and the aneurysm were excised by breast conservation therapy. A 51-year-old woman attended a local hospital because of a 25-mm mass in the upper outer quadrant of the right breast. CNB was performed, and brisk bleeding occurred at the biopsy site. Immediate hemostasis was achieved with direct manual compression. CNB detected fatty tissue, and a diagnosis could not be made. When she presented at our hospital 6 weeks later, there was a 25-mm pulsating mass at the biopsy site. Color-flow Doppler US and dynamic MRI showed a breast tumor and pseudoaneurysm formation. For the purpose of diagnosis and treatment of the breast tumor and pseudoaneurysm, lumpectomy of the right breast was performed. Histological diagnosis was papillotubular carcinoma and pseudoaneurysm. Although this condition is relatively rare, it is important to be aware of the possibility of complications, such as pseudoaneurysms, which require treatment.     

Carcinome apocrine du sein: à propos d’un cas

Apocrine carcinoma is a rare feature of breast carcinoma. We report a case of a 55-year-old patient who had a mass that was 3 cm in diameter in the external upper quarter of the right breast. The patient underwent a biopsy, but a month later, she presented with a mass in the breast with axillary lymph nodes. The patient refused radical surgery but accepted tumorectomy. The mass was found to be a grey and white tumor that was 4 cm in diameter. Using a microscope, it was found to be an apocrine carcinoma. This type of carcinoma raises diagnosis problems and a good sampling is necessary to find more than 90% of apocrine features. The prognosis remains controversial.     

Mammotome微创旋切系统在女性乳腺肿瘤中的应用价值

目的 探讨Mammotome微创旋切系统在女性乳腺肿瘤疾病中的应用价值.方法 分析女性乳腺肿瘤疾病患者173例,在超声引导下对患者行Mammotome微创旋切术切除病灶.结果 173例女性乳腺肿瘤患者共切除291个肿瘤病灶,良性肿瘤病灶259个以乳腺纤维腺瘤(67.35%)为主,恶性乳癌病灶32个以浸润性导管癌(9.97%)为主.Mammotome微创旋切术后患者满意度高,复查肿瘤病灶清除率100%且无复发迹象,术后不良事件以出现血肿为主,发生率为2.92%.结论 Mammotome微创旋切系统对女性乳腺肿瘤清除有很好的临床应用价值,而且术后不良事件发生率小.     

细针穿刺肿瘤组织端粒酶活性检测在乳腺癌诊断中的意义

目的 :探讨细针穿刺乳腺肿瘤组织端粒酶活性检测在乳腺癌诊断中的意义。方法 :用PCR ELISA法检测79例术前乳腺肿瘤穿刺活检标本和大体标本的端粒酶活性并与病理诊断进行对照。结果 :乳腺癌 65例 ,穿刺组织端粒酶阳性 5 7例 ,阳性率为 87 7% ;大体组织端粒酶阳性 5 4例 ,阳性率83 1% ;淋巴结有转移者端粒酶活性高于无淋巴结转移者 ;乳腺良性疾病 14例 ,端粒酶阳性 2例 ,阳性率 14 3 %。结论 :术前乳腺肿瘤穿刺组织端粒酶活性检测有利于乳腺肿瘤的早期诊断及鉴别诊断 ,可以间接了解乳腺癌的进展程度     

Metaplastic breast carcinoma with extensive osseous differentiation: a report of two cases and review of the literature

Invasive breast cancer with osseous metaplasia is rare. Here we report two cases of metaplastic breast carcinoma with extensive osseous differentiation. Case 1: The patient was a 60-year-old woman with a right breast tumor, about 4 cm in diameter. Mammogram and ultrasound presented an irregular-shaped mass suspected for malignancy. Core needle biopsy confirmed invasive carcinoma and the patient underwent a modified radical mastectomy. Case 2: The patient was a 48-year-old woman with a left breast tumor, about 3 cm in diameter. Mammogram demonstrated a well-circumscribed mass with extensive dense calcifications. Frozen section biopsy confirmed invasive carcinoma and a modified radical mastectomy was performed. The two patients had no metastatic carcinoma in the axillary lymph nodes and remained free of recurrence and systemic metastases in a 13- and 4-month follow-up period, respectively. Histopathologically, patient 1 had an adenocarcinoma with prominent sarcomatous (osteosarcomatous) differentiation with intervening spindle cells. The sarcomatous areas showed high nuclear atypia, pleomorphism and a high Ki-67 index. In Case 2, the neoplasm consisted of invasive ductal carcinoma of no special type with an osseous metaplasia component and showed a direct transition from the carcinoma to the osseous elements. The distinction between the different types of metaplastic carcinomas, specifically the distinction between benign and malignant metaplastic (osteoid) elements, should be taken into consideration.     

Mammographic and sonographic features of tubular breast carcinoma

AIMS AND BACKGROUND: This study aimed to describe the mammographic and sonographic features of tubular carcinoma of the breast. METHODS: A retrospective review of 198 consecutive cases of surgically proven breast cancer revealed ten cases of tubular carcinoma of the breast. Only tumors with a tubular component of at least 75% were included in the study. Mean patient age was 56 +/- 9 years, range 35 to 70 years. RESULTS: The mean size of the tumors was 11 +/- 4 mm. On mammography, all tubular carcinomas appeared as an irregularly shaped mass with a central density in 6/10 cases. Eight tubular carcinomas were described as having spiculated margins. Microcalcifications were present in 4/10 cases. On ultrasound the tumor presented as a hypoechoic mass with irregular margins and posterior acoustic shadowing in 7/10 cases. In three cases the tumor presented as a hypoechoic mass with ill-defined margins and posterior acoustic shadowing. CONCLUSIONS: Although some specific mammographic and sonographic features may suggest the presence of a tubular carcinoma, the final differential diagnosis from other spiculated lesions of the breast should rely on histologic evidence only. Therefore, surgical biopsy should be recommended in all cases of stellate lesions of the breast detected at mammography or ultrasonogram.