Primary osteosarcoma of breast: A rare case report

Abstract

Malignant Primary osteosarcomas of the breast are rare mammary sarcomas with aggressive potential. Unlike skeletal osteosarcomas which occurs in young adults, these tumors predominantly occur in the older age group. It is essential to clearly distinguish primary osteosarcomas of the breast from the common breast carcinomas since the treatment model for the former follows a multidisciplinary approach as for sarcomas affecting other anatomical locations. A seventy year old female presented with swelling in the right breast since three years with progressive increase in size and mammographic evidence showing a well circumscribed dense lesion with focal calcification favouring fibroadenoma. While cytosmears showed atypical cells obscured by haemorrhage, trucut biopsy showed malignant features with a possible differential of Phyllodes tumour and metaplastic carcinoma with osseous elements. Subsequent mastectomy was done and histology revealed a primary osteosarcoma of the breast. Primary osteosarcoma of breast is an extra -osseous manifestation which is diagnosed after excluding the possibility of primary from the underlying bones of sternum and rib, malignant phyllodes and metaplastic carcinoma. Considering the rarity of this entity we believe that each case can contribute to the improvement in the diagnosis and management of this disease.