Extra abdominal desmoid tumor (fibromatosis) of the breast

Case Report

Ioannidis C

IASO Hospital Group, Athens, Greece

Correspondence:  IASO General Hospital, 264 Mesogeion Avenue, GR-15562, Athens, Greece, E-mail: ioannidc@otenet.gr


Abstract

Desmoid tumors (or fibromatosis) of the breast are very rare findings. Their clinical and imaging features can easily mislead diagnosis, the lesions being diagnosed as breast cancer. The case of a 46-year old female patient, who presented a desmoid tumor in the area of a previously excised accessory breast, is reported. A review of the international literature revealed no other similar case. The differential diagnosis and current opinion on treatment of these tumors is discussed.

Keywords: Desmoid tumor, fibromatosis, breast, surgery, breast cancer

Introduction­

Extra abdominal desmoid tumors are rare soft tissue neoplasms occurring mainly in the extremities (32 %)1. Desmoid tumor (or fibromatosis) of the breast is a very rare, benign fibroblastic tumor with a tendency to recur. Its etiology remains unclear. Trauma, previous breast surgery and augmentation mammoplasty (with saline or silicone implants) have been associated with the appearance of a desmoid in the breast2, 3. We report the case of a 46-year old female patient who presented with a desmoid tumor of the right breast 15 months after surgical excision of an accessory breast.

Case Report

A 46-year old female patient presented with a right accessory breast requesting its excision as well as a bilateral breast reduction because of megalomastia and asymmetry (right breast larger than left). Routine mammographic and ultrasound imaging showed no abnormalities. An inferior pedicle reduction mammoplasty, a correction of the asymmetry and surgical excision of the right accessory breast was performed under general anesthesia. The postoperative course was uneventful and the histopathological examination of the resected breast tissue specimens revealed no abnormalities. Fourteen months later the patient presented with a painful, hard mass in the distal end of the upper, lateral quadrant of the right breast (toward the axilla). The mass had been growing rapidly and was causing her considerable discomfort. On clinical examination a ca 2 cm large, tender, firm to hard, ill-defined, mobile mass was noted ca 2 cm caudal to the accessory breast excision scar. Mammographic imaging showed an irregular, spiculated mass in the upper, lateral quadrant of the right breast (BI RADS 4b) (Figure 1). Ultrasound imaging showed a 1.9 cm hypoechoic mass with irregular margins and peripheral vascularization (Figure 2). On elastography the mass proved hard (E=4). The strong suspicion of malignancy dictated a wide surgical excision of the mass and surrounding tissue, which was carried out under general anesthesia. Macroscopic histopathological evaluation showed a whitish, stellate lesion with a maximum diameter of 1.2 cm. The distance to the chest wall was 0.35 cm and to the overlying skin 0.15 cm.  Microscopically, the lesion was composed of intersecting bundles of bland-appearing fibroblasts with moderate cellularity, no cellular atypia, no mitotic activity or necrosis (Figure 3). The cellular proliferation index Ki67 ranged from 1 to 2% (Figure 4). Immunohistochemically there was negativity for CD 34, S 100, Leu 7, Bcl 2, AE1/AE3 and a positive expression for SMA, actin and desmin (Figure 5). The histologic features were typical of an extra abdominal desmoid tumor. The patient has been followed for three years without any sign of a recurrence.

Figure 1. A. An irregular, spiculated mass is visible at the right upper end of the mammogram of the right breast. B. Close-up showing the mass more clearly.

Figure 2. Ultra-sonogram showing a hypoechoic mass with A. irregular borders and B. peripheral vascularization.

Figure 3. Micrograph showing intersecting bundles of blandappearing fibroblasts with moderate cellularity. Neither atypia nor mitotic activity or necrosis, are seen (HxE X 40).

Figure 4. Nuclear positivity against Ki67 was noticed in 1-2% of the fibroblasts (x 400).

Figure 5. Immunohistochemically, there was a positive expression of desmin (x 400).

Discussion

Desmoid tumors (or deep fibromatosis) are rare tumors accounting for only 0.03% of all neoplasms. They originate in musculoaponeurotic tissues and they mainly occur during the 4th and 5th decades of life (median 36 years in a large series of 211 patients4). They are divided into intra-abdominal, abdominal and extra-abdominal desmoids. They all share the same morphology but differ in their presentation according to the site of development2. Intraabdominal and abdominal desmoids can develop throughout the abdomen or the abdominal wall in 12% to 38% of patients with familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP)3 Extra abdominal desmoids most frequently occur in the extremities4.

 Desmoids of the breast constitute less than 0.2% of all breast tumors5. They usually involve the underlying fibroaponeurotic fascia; a desmoid confined to the breast is a rare lesion6. Most desmoids of the breast present as firm to hard, usually discrete masses, however, a few are “ill defined” or “poorly circumscribed”5, as was the case presented here. Skin dimpling over the lesion or tethering of the tumor to the skin may be present5.

The cause of breast desmoid tumors is not well understood. They have been associated with previous surgery (saline and silicone breast implants intact or ruptured, fibro adenoma excision, partial or total mastectomy for cancer)5, 7 ,8 ,9, trauma5, oral contraceptives5 and chemotherapy5. The present case is, to the best of our knowledge, the first reported to have occurred after surgical excision of an accessory breast and chemotherapy for gynecological cancer.

Most cases are reported in women, though there have been a few cases encountered in male patients7. Unlike abdominal desmoid tumors, mammary fibromatosis does not appear to be associated with pregnancy. Median age of patients with breast desmoids at presentation was 45 years (range, 22-76 years) in one of the few published series of 32 patients10. Tumors presenting after previous surgery were diagnosed at a median of 24 months postoperatively10. The patient described here first noticed her lesion, and immediately seeked medical consultation, 14 months after excision of the accessory breast.

 Mammographically, desmoids are often irregularly shaped, uncalcified, high density masses with spiculated margins that mimic breast cancer (B1-RADS category 5)6, 7, 11. However, mammography visualized the mass in only 38% of cases in the series reported by Neuman et al10. Sonographically, they appear as solid, spiculated or microlobulated, hypoechoic masses with a thick echogenic rim and posterior attenuation6. MRI is the best imaging technique for evaluating tumor extent, in particular chest wall involvement7. The masses are typically irregular and isotense to muscle on T1-weighted images. On T2-weighted images they present variable high signal intensity7.

Several authors propose that all patients should undergo a planned biopsy (by radiologically guided core needle biopsy12). Others, however, support the notion that a biopsy may not be needed when the lesion is small (<2cm) or when it is a superficial mass that can be completely removed with negative margins by excisional biopsy13. We agree with the latter opinion and have therefore performed an excisional biopsy, which sets the final diagnosis and at the same time offers definitive treatment.

Complete excision with clear margins is the currently accepted mode of treatment. When the chest wall is infiltrated, a resection of chest wall with rib cage may be necessary to complete excision7 resulting, however, in undesired disfigurement. Recurrence rates are high and have been reported between 25%14 and 29%10. A trend toward more frequent recurrences was observed in patients with positive versus negative margins and those with larger tumors10. The infiltrative nature of desmoids necessitates documentation of tissue margins in order to reduce the possibility of recurrences14. Younger age is another predisposing factor for recurrence10. The latter usually occurs within 4 to 15 months of excision10, 14. Breast reconstruction, whenever indicated, should be best delayed until after this period.

Adjuvant anti hormonal therapy and chemotherapy has both been administered with variable success. Postoperative radiotherapy results in significant reduction of the local recurrence rate but only in the case of involved surgical margins. Radiotherapy is not indicated for the treatment of gross disease; it is associated with a high complication rate, which is dose dependent6, 15. Recently, Roussin et al16 proposed observation as a possible mode of treatment. These authors based their recommendation on the results of a study, which showed a reduction of the median tumor size (-4mm, range -13 to + 20mm) after front-line observation. The encouraging results could enable the identification of patients who require loco-regional treatment, however, this strategy needs further evaluation16.

Differential diagnosis of desmoid tumors showing prominent myxoid changes should include nodular fasciitis (or any reactive myofibroblastic proliferation), scar tissue, desmoplastic fibroblastoma and neurofibroma. Cellular variants may be confused with malignant lesions. However, desmoids lack the cellular atypia, numerous and atypical mitoses, and tumor necrosis typical for fibrosarcoma or monoplastic synovial sarcoma2. Immunohistochemistry is of considerable value in setting the definitive diagnosis2, 17.

In conclusion, the desmoid tumors of the breast are rare, benign, locally aggressive fibroblastic lesions, which mimic breast cancer. They have the tendency to recur, but have no metastatic potential. Early recognition and wide local excision is the treatment of choice.

References

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Received 27-2-2018
Revised 18-3-2018
Accepted 28-3-2018