A Rare Case of Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma of the Breast: Discussion and Review of the Literature

Abstract

Adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC) of the breast is a rare type of primary breast cancer with a favorable prognosis, despite its triple-negative status. There has been no consensus regarding treatments. We will report a case of Adenoid cystic carcinoma of the breast presented with localized disease and no axillary lymph node metastases. We performed a radical mastectomy with axillary lymph node dissection, with a favorable clinical course and we will describe the clinic pathologic features of ACC of the breast and review the current literature.

Rare breast malignancies and review of literature: A single centres experience

“…Studies have shown it to be low grade, node negative and receptor negative tumour [49] and one of the only triple negative cancers where there is no role for chemotherapy [50] . Although, lymph node involvement in breast ACC is uncommon [45,47,51] , some surgeons still prefer to perform sampling of nodes as seen in both our cases. As this condition is rare, we are unable to not recommend axillary procedures due to the diversity of procedures offered.…”

“…Due to the rarity of this condition no definite surgical treatment is recommended. There are studies supporting simple lumpectomy with or without radiation, simple to radical to mastectomy [47] . The chance of local recurrence has been high.…”

“…The chance of local recurrence has been high. As such if lumpectomy [47,48] is preferred radiotherapy to the breast is usually recommended. Some studies discourage performing any form of axillary surgery as the risk of nodal involvement is minimal [47,49] .…”

“…As such if lumpectomy [47,48] is preferred radiotherapy to the breast is usually recommended. Some studies discourage performing any form of axillary surgery as the risk of nodal involvement is minimal [47,49] . However, unlike its head and neck counterpart it is associated with favourable prognosis with excellent survival in the absence of other cancers [47] .…”

“…Some studies discourage performing any form of axillary surgery as the risk of nodal involvement is minimal [47,49] . However, unlike its head and neck counterpart it is associated with favourable prognosis with excellent survival in the absence of other cancers [47] . Studies have shown it to be low grade, node negative and receptor negative tumour [49] and one of the only triple negative cancers where there is no role for chemotherapy [50] .…”