Primary mammary cancer often develops at multiple sites in either one or both breasts, evidently the result of a common carcinogen acting in multicentric loci. The occurrence of carcinoma in accessory breast tissue has been recorded, including carcinoma in supernumerary breast tissue within the labium, although the latter is rare. A 62-year-old woman developed carcinoma of the right breast which was followed nearly five and one half years later by the occurrence of adenocarcinoma in supernumerary breast tissue within the left labium majus. Concomitantly, carcinoma was detected in the left breast. The three cancers, exhibited histologic features compatible with primary rather than metastatic lesions. The development of primary carcinoma in both breasts as well as within ectopic mammary tissue in the labium appears to be the first recorded instance of such an event. Cancer 38:2570-2574, 1976. HE WIDE FIELD ORIGIN OF BREAST CANCER T a n d the increased susceptibility of those who have had t h e disease t o develop additional lesions has been well documented. T h e pervasive multicentric effect of the carcinogens that cause breast cancer is strikingly illustrated i n this case presentation. The occurrence of bilateral m a m m a r y cancer in conjunction with carci-noma developing in ectopic mammary tissue within the vulva appears to be unique. CASE REPORT A white woman, age 62, was found by her family physician to have a palpable mass beneath the nipple of the right breast, during a routine physical examination. The mass was biopsied and found to be a ductal carcinoma and she underwent a right radical mastectomy. The tumor measured 5 cm in greatest diameter. Both intraductal and infiltrating scirrhous duct carcinoma were present with solid and glandular patterns some of the latter assuming a cribriform configuration (Fig. 1).
Eleven cases with acute hemorrhage and necrosis of the bowel are described. In all cases there was high dosage of digitalis and definite toxicity in seven. Digitalis was considered as the main associated factor, especially since there was no mesenteric arterial involvement and, in four cases, there was no congestive failure at autopsy. Hepatic vein or sinusoidal sphincter constriction with resulting portal splanchnic venous congestion was considered as possible mechanisms by which digitalization produced this syndrome.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.