Nodular mucinosis of the breast: Report of three cases

Abstract

Three cases of nodular mucinosis of the breast are presented. They occurred in one male and two female patients. The patients had no signs of Carney's syndrome. All lesions were located under the nipple. They were poorly circumscribed and unencapsulated. They were soft and had a gelatinous consistency and white color. No patient had any evidence of recurrence or metastasis 6 months, 3 years and 6 years, respectively, after the surgical excision. The mucinous tissue consisted of acid mucopolysaccharides, which stained Alcian blue, Hale's colloidal iron positively, and they were periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) negative. Mucicarmine reaction was only faintly positive. The lesion should be distinguished particularly from mucocele-like lesions of the breast by the location, nodular arrangement, absence of accompanying ductal hyperplasia and staining properties of the mucous substances.

Clinico-pathological features of breast myxoma: report of a case with histogenetic considerations

“…Practically, however, the lesions reported in the breast with diffuse myxoid stromal changes are: superficial angiomyxoma [9], nodular mucinosis (first reported as nerve sheath myxoma) [16,17], nodular fasciitis (myxoid variant) [18], neurofibroma (myxoid variant) [19,20], myofibrolastoma (myxoid variant) [21,22], myxofibrosarcoma [23], myxoid liposarcoma [24], and mucocele-like tumors [15]. A list of these lesions, including their main clinico-pathological features, is provided in Table 1.…”

“…Unlike myxoma, it has a typical multilobular appearance both at gross and microscopic examination due to the presence of fibrous septa [1]. Nodular mucinosis typically occurs under the nipple, with poorly circumscribed margins due to the arrangement of myxoid stroma into small nodules [16,17]. Nodular fasciitis (myxoid variant) is a fibro-myofibroblastic pseudosarcomatous lesion with, at least focally, infiltrative margins, composed of spindle-shaped cells which are typically positive for α-smooth muscle actin [18,25].…”

Nodular Mucinosis of Breast: A Case Report

“…Although the term was initially described by Michal et al [2], the first case had been reported under the name of "nerve sheath myxoma of the breast" by Wee et al [1]. It is distinct from widespread mucinous nodules that can be seen in the breast as a component of Carney complex syndrome, and always seen around the areola or nipple complex.…”

“…Usually the lesion has lobular configuration and consists of mucinous pools within the breast parenchyma without benign or malignant epithelial cell component. Breast ducts can be seen between the mucinous lobules but not within the pools [2]. Vessels and some benign-looking spindle stromal cells which may stain with smooth muscle actin (SMA), and CD68-positive histiocytes may also be seen.…”

“…It is distinct from myxomas developed in Carney complex. There are 13 reported cases in the English literature [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9]. All the reported cases involve around the nipple of young women, as well as men.…”