A Rare Case of Chondrolipoma of the Breast

Abstract

In 1971, Arrigoni MG et al., used the term “hamartoma” for breast lesions in 10 patients who presented with encapsulated breast tumours clinically and grossly resembling fibroadenomas. Hamartomas in breast lesions are very uncommon and include adenolipoma and chondrolipoma. Despite the availability of imaging modalities, it is often difficult to distinguish fibroadenoma from breast carcinoma. Chondrolipoma of the breast is a rare benign mesenchymal tumour composed of adipose and mature cartilaginous tissue, which is often mistaken for malignant lesions in preoperative studies, leading to overdiagnosis and overtreatment. Hence, a proper histopathological examination is required for a correct diagnosis. Only eight cases have been reported in the literature. This report presents one such rare case of lump in a 67-year-old female, which was suspected to be a fibroadenoma clinically and radiologically, but was diagnosed as chondrolipoma on histopathological examination. All routine investigations were within normal limits, and a clinical diagnosis of fibroadenoma was made. Mammography was done, comprising fat, soft tissue, and calcific strandings along with coarse calcific specks suggestive of BI-RADS (Breast Imaging-Reporting and Data System) Category 3: high probability of being benign.

Keywords

• cartilage
• hamartoma
• mesenchymal tumour of breast