Metaplastic Carcinoma Breast Masquerading as Galactocele—A Diagnostic Dilemma: A Rare Case Report

Abstract

Metaplastic breast carcinoma is a rare subtype of invasive carcinomas accounting to about 0.3% of all breast cancers. The World Health Organization (WHO) has classified metaplastic breast carcinoma (MBC) into the pure epithelial type and mixed epithelial and mesenchymal type. The epithelial type MBC subclassified into squamous cell carcinoma, adenosquamous carcinoma and adenocarcinoma with spindle cell differentiation; mixed type MBC is subclassified into carcinosarcoma and carcinoma with osseous and chondroid metaplasia. These carcinomas have aggressive clinical behavior and do not respond well to conventional adjuvant chemotherapy. We present a case of a 33-year-old female with the history of a breast lump for one year associated with the beginning of lactation. On consultation, the lump was misdiagnosed as Galactocele and neglected. Persistence of symptoms increase of pain and size of the lump brought the patient back in the surgical OPD (outpatient department) where she was examined and biopsied. The diagnosis of invasive ductal carcinoma was offered on the core biopsy. Postmastectomy the same was diagnosed as adenosquamous carcinoma with a malignant mesenchymal element.

Keywords: Metaplastic breast carcinoma (MBC), adenosquamous carcinoma, metastatic sarcoma component

Cite this Article

Pramila Choudhary, Apoorvi Dubey, Amrit Raj Kalla, Anand Raj Kalla. Metaplastic Carcinoma Breast Masquerading as Galactocele—A Diagnostic Dilemma: A Rare Case. Research & Reviews: Journal of Oncology and Hematology. 2019; 8(1): 14–18p.