Ductal Carcinoma In Situ in a Fibroadenoma

Lee, Sang Dal; Nam, Seok Jin; Yang, Jung Hyun; Oh, Young Ryun

Abstract

BACKGROUND: A fibroadenoma is a common benign breast tumor with little potential for malignancy. There are, however, increasing numbers of reports that it is associated with a certain increase in breast cancer.
METHODS
We reviewed the medical records of 4 patient's who were diagnosed as intraductal carcinoma within a fibroadenoma.
RESULTS
The patient's age were relatively young (32, 36, 52, and 36 years), and the tumor presented as a lump of recent onset in 3 patients and as an abnormal mammography in one patient. None of the patients could be diagnosed as having malignancy by using mammography, ultrasonography, or cytologic examination. However, a radiologic study showed microcalcifications in the masses in two patients, and cytological examination demonstrated atypical cells in three patients. Breast-conservation surgery was performed in two patients; a wide excision was used in one and a localization & excision in the other. Pathologic features were ductal carcinomas in situ within fibroadenomas in all. Estrogen and progesteron receptors were all positive.
CONCLUSION
Possibility of malignancy should be excluded in patients with a fibroadenoma, especially when microcalcifications are observed within the mass or atypical cells are suspected based on cytologic examination. Fine needle aspiration cytology, ultrasonography and even excisional biopsy should be performed to evaluate the possibility of malignancy in these patients.