J Breast Cancer.  2011 Mar;14(1):72-75. 10.4048/jbc.2011.14.1.72.

Microglandular Adenosis

• Kim DJ
• Sun WY
• Ryu DH
• Park JW
• Yun HY
• Choi JW
• Song YJ

• KMID: 2175647
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4048/jbc.2011.14.1.72

Abstract

Microglandular adenosis (MGA) of the breast is a very rare and benign proliferative lesion. Most patients complain of a palpable breast mass that may arouse a clinical suspicion of breast cancer. Histopathologically, it is hard to distinguish MGA from breast cancer because of the lack of a myoepithelial layer and infiltrative proliferation. Several studies have reported a strong relationship between MGA and carcinoma arising in MGA, so the mass should be excised completely in cases of MGA determined from a core needle biopsy rather than observation. A 72-years-old woman presented with a palpable breast mass. On physical examination, a mass was palpable in the right upper outer quadrant area and somewhat fixed to the surrounding tissues and pectoralis major muscle. We could not detect any mass or dense lesion on mammography because of a grade 4 dense breast. Ultrasonographic findings revealed a low echoic lesion with indistinct margins. The result of a core needle biopsy was MGA, which was confirmed by excision. We report one case of MGA, which was believed to breast cancer clinically.

Keyword

Breast; Cancer; Microglandular adenosis

MeSH Terms

Biopsy, Large-Core Needle
Breast
Breast Neoplasms
Female
Fibrocystic Breast Disease
Humans
Mammography
Muscles
Physical Examination

Figure

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  Figure 1 Ultrasonographic finding of microglandular adenosis. Ill-defined low echoic lesion (BIRADS category 5) in the upper outer quadrant of right breast was shown in ultrasonogram.

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  Figure 2 Gross appearance of microglandular adenosis (MGA). This is a gross appearance of MGA. Hematoma in the mass is result of the previous needle biopsy.

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  Figure 3 Microscopic finding of microglandular adenosis (MGA). Infiltrating round glands lacking a myoepithelial layer are seen with luminal eosinophilic secrestions. The glands are regular and small, and are lined by single epithelial layer (H&E stain, ×40).

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  Figure 4 Immunohistochemistry (IHC) of microglandular adenosis (MGA). IHC of MGA shows positive for S-100 protein (IHC stain, ×40).

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  Figure 5 Immunohistochemistry (IHC) of microglandular adenosis (MGA). IHC of MGA shows positive for pan-cytokeratin (IHC stain, ×400).

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  Figure 6 Immunohistochemistry (IHC) of microglandular adenosis (MGA). IHC of MGA shows negative for SMA (IHC stain, ×400).

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