Fibromatosis-Like Metaplastic Carcinoma of the Breast: A Challenging Diagnosis With Potential Pitfalls
Issued Date
2024-01-01
Resource Type
ISSN
10668969
eISSN
19402465
Scopus ID
2-s2.0-85212420570
Journal Title
International Journal of Surgical Pathology
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SCOPUS
Bibliographic Citation
International Journal of Surgical Pathology (2024)
Suggested Citation
Laokulrath N., Gudi M.A., Tan P.H., Tan T.Y.Z., Lim G.H. Fibromatosis-Like Metaplastic Carcinoma of the Breast: A Challenging Diagnosis With Potential Pitfalls. International Journal of Surgical Pathology (2024). doi:10.1177/10668969241300498 Retrieved from: https://repository.li.mahidol.ac.th/handle/20.500.14594/102525
Title
Fibromatosis-Like Metaplastic Carcinoma of the Breast: A Challenging Diagnosis With Potential Pitfalls
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Abstract
Fibromatosis-like metaplastic carcinoma (FLMC) is a rare subtype of metaplastic carcinoma of the breast. Diagnosing this entity poses significant challenges, particularly in core biopsies due to limited sampling and overlap with benign spindle cell lesions such as nodular fasciitis and fibromatosis. We present an example of FLMC in an asymptomatic middle-aged woman. As her breast imaging revealed an irregular lobulated mass, a core biopsy was performed which showed benign breast tissue with fibrosis. However, this was discordant with her imaging findings, hence a subsequent vacuum-assisted biopsy was done which revealed low-grade spindle cell proliferation, consistent with FLMC. This report emphasizes the necessity of a triple assessment and highlights the potential pitfalls in diagnosing FLMC, particularly the risk of misinterpretation due to its histological similarities with benign entities. Understanding these challenges will be crucial to avoid diagnostic delays of this rare breast cancer subtype.