Adenoid cystic carcinoma of the breast with late recurrence and high-grade transformation

BMJ Case Rep. 2023 Feb 9;16(2):e252336. doi: 10.1136/bcr-2022-252336.

Abstract

Breast cancers have broad histological subtypes with varied molecular expression, which determines the management. Although ductal and lobular breast carcinomas constitute the significant 90% of these tumours, other subtypes constitute about 10% of breast cancers. Adenoid cystic carcinoma (AdCC) is a salivary gland-type tumour described in breast, constituting less than 1% of all breast carcinomas. These tumours have a favourable prognosis and are surgically managed by either lumpectomy or mastectomy. Solid-basaloid and AdCC with high-grade transformation are the sporadic subtypes of AdCC, in addition to the classic type. We report a case of recurrent AdCC which was surgically managed by modified radical mastectomy initially and presented with recurrence and high-grade transformation 11 years later.

Keywords: Breast cancer; Breast surgery; Chemotherapy; Pathology; Radiotherapy.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Breast Neoplasms* / pathology
  • Breast Neoplasms* / surgery
  • Carcinoma, Adenoid Cystic* / diagnostic imaging
  • Carcinoma, Adenoid Cystic* / surgery
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Mastectomy
  • Mastectomy, Segmental
  • Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / surgery
  • Salivary Gland Neoplasms* / pathology