Carcinosarcoma of breast – A chimera among breast neoplasms

Abstract

Malignant phyllodes, along with ductal carcinoma, is known as metaplastic cancer of the breast. This tumor is additionally known as breast carcinosarcoma. Malignant phyllodes in conjunction with ductal carcinoma is a rare finding in routine clinical practice. We describe the case report of a 47-year-old female patient who arrived with a large right breast mass. A core biopsy was performed, and histopathological examination indicated that the tumor was a malignant phyllodes tumor. A positron emission tomography (PET) scan revealed hyper-metabolic and hypo-metabolic tumors with perilesional stranding and satellite nodularity. There were a few metastatic right axillary nodes visible. There was no indication of distant metastases. Due to the presence of both components, a modified radical mastectomy surgery with axillary dissection was undertaken for this patient. Histopathological analysis of paraffin sections revealed ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) comedo-epithelial component and spindle-shaped cells with hyper-chromatic oval nuclei and scanty cytoplasm.

Keywords

• breast cancer
• carcinosarcoma
• ductal carcinoma in situ
• modified radical mastectomy
• phylloides tumor