A Rare Presentation of an Invasive Ductal Carcinoma of Ectopic Axillary Breast Tissue

Abstract

Ectopic breast tissue (EBT) is a rare entity and can present anywhere along the milk line, including the axilla, inframammary region, thighs, perineum, groin, and vulva. However, the axilla is the most common area of presentation. EBT can present as supernumerary breasts or aberrant breast tissue. Malignancy arising in EBT is rare, but the most common morphological variant is invasive ductal carcinoma. We report a case of a 43-year-old woman, a smoker with a family history of breast cancer, who presented to our clinic with a small mass in the right axillary area. After monitoring it for one year, the mass increased in size, so she returned to the clinic and decided with her care team to excise the mass. Histopathology showed invasive mammary adenocarcinoma arising in EBT and was diagnosed as right accessory stage I breast cancer. This case illustrates the imperative that any mass in the axillary region should be thoroughly assessed to rule out carcinoma in the accessory axillary tissue for timely management.

An Atypical Presentation of Superficial Breast Cancer: A Case Report and Review of the Literature

“…This case report underlines the clinical importance of considering superficial breast tumors as potential malignancies. [22] While superficial breast tumors in aberrant mammary glands are rare [23], it is critical for clinicians to be aware of such possibilities and maintain a broad differential diagnosis when assessing patients presenting with breast masses, regardless of the unusual location or other atypical characteristics. [18] The significance of diagnostic tools like histopathological and immunohistochemical examinations has been emphasized in this case, which not only established the diagnosis but also guided the appropriate treatment regimen.…”

Intraductal papilloma arising in ectopic breast tissue within the axillary region

“…Most commonly, breast tissue can develop at the axillary region. However, breast pathology along the milk line is infrequent [ 3 ]. Intraductal papilloma (IDP) is a well-understood benign tumor that commonly occurs within the luminal duct.…”