Metaplastic Breast Carcinoma Presenting as a Mixed Solid and Cystic Lesion

Abstract

The objective of this paper is to report a rare presentation of metaplastic breast carcinoma (MBC) as a mixed solid/cystic mass and emphasize the possibility of having a different biopsy report and final diagnosis.MBC is a rare type of breast cancer consisting of mesenchymal or mixed mesenchymal and epithelial components. It is believed to result from the conversion of glandular cells into non-glandular cells through various forms of mutations. It is common in females and more frequent in older women. MBC is a triplenegative breast cancer (progestin receptor, estrogen receptor, and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2) with a very poor prognosis when compared with other types of breast cancers. This is a case of an 84-year-old woman presenting with rapidly growing mixed solid and cystic breast mass with a final diagnosis of MBC. The initial biopsy report was high-grade ductal carcinoma in situ. This is an unusual presentation of MBC.