Desmoid-type fibromatosis of the breast: A report of 2 cases

Abstract

Mammary fibromatosis is a rare and locally aggressive benign tumor of the breast; it originates from fibroblasts and myofibroblasts within the breast parenchyma and does not metastasize. The condition is locally aggressive and has a high rate of recurrence. The etiology of mammary fibromatosis is unknown. Breast imaging examinations are not specific for fibromatosis and often imitate breast cancer. The current study presents 2 cases of women with breast fibromatosis, the first of which exhibited a locally advanced aggressive form of the disease, where breast surgery and en bloc resection of the underlying regions of the thoracic wall were required. In the second case, breast imaging examinations suggested an invasive breast tumor, probably carcinoma, infiltrating the muscles of the chest wall. An ultrasound-guided core needle biopsy revealed a low-grade myofibroblastic proliferation consistent with breast fibromatosis. The patient underwent a right quadrantectomy, with a partial resection of the underlying musculature. The patients remain disease-free at the time of writing. As involvement of the breast in patients with desmoid-like fibromatosis as rare, the present study reports 2 cases with clinical features and histological findings in order to improve and add to the knowledge of this disease.

Screening-detected desmoid tumor of the breast: findings at conventional imaging and digital breast tomosynthesis

“…Desmoid tumor or desmoid-type fibromatosis is an entity of unknown etiology, defined by the World Health Organization (WHO) as ''clonal fibroblastic proliferation arising in the deep soft tissues, with a tendency to infiltrate local tissues and locally recur, but an inability to metastasize'' (1,8,9). Desmoid-type fibromatosis usually presents in the age range of 15-60 years and is more than twice as common in women (8).…”

“…Desmoid tumor (synonym: desmoid-type fibromatosis) is a benign lesion of the connective tissue with a tendency to infiltrate adjacent tissue but without metastatic potential. Development in the breast is very rare (1)(2)(3)(4). Desmoid of the breast represents a diagnostic challenge because the lesions mimic breast carcinoma radiologically (5)(6)(7).…”

Spindle Cell Lesions of the Breast on Fine-Needle Aspiration Biopsy: A Miscellany of Masses

“…On IHC, fibromatosis stains positively for β-catenin, SMA, and vimentin; variably for desmin and estrogen receptor (ER), and negatively for CD34, p63, and pankeratins. Patients who have familial adenomatous polyposis demonstrate mutations of the APC gene, while sporadic cases may show mutations of the CTNNB1 gene [1, 8, 13]. …”

Desmoid Tumor Causing Hip Joint Contracture: A Case Report

“…DT is characterized by local aggressiveness with a 20% -30% local recurrence rate, but without metastasis [1] [2]. In a previous study, the median age of patients was reported to be 12.2 years; 49% of patients were male, and 51% were female [3].…”

“…Desmoid tumor (DT) is defined as a borderline lesion of the connective tissue with a tendency to infiltrate adjacent tissue, but without metastatic potential, according to the World Health Organization's classification [1]. DT is characterized by local aggressiveness with a 20% -30% local recurrence rate, but without metastasis [1] [2].…”