| Print Date: | June 19, 2013, 9:25 am |
| Title | Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma of the Breast |
| Text | Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma
Adenoid cystic carcinoma is generally associated with the salivary glands, but occasionally, these lesions develop in the breast. They represent extremely indolent processes, and although death from adenoid cystic carcinoma has been reported, it is extremely rare. The diagnosis is made by histologic analysis, and special stains are used to reveal the mucin that is associated with the pseudocysts found in the tumor. Although slow growing, these are unpredictable tumors with a tendency to invade perineural spaces, making them painful and stubbornly recurrent. Eventually, 50% or more of the salivary gland tumors disseminate widely to distant sites such as bone, liver, and brain, sometimes decades after attempted removal. Mammographic appearance is not well established as a limited number of these lesions have been reported in the literature. One reported case presented as a small, fairly well defined, slightly lobulated mass. Another presented as a larger mass with more ill-defined margins. A third presented as a large spiculated lesion. |
| References: | 1. Kopans, Daniel B., Breast Imaging, 2nd ed., Copyright 1998, Lippincott-Raven Publishers, 227 East Washington Square, Philadelphia, PA 19106-3780.
2. Cotran, Ramzi S.,etal., Robbins Pathologic Basis of Disease – 5th ed., Copyright 1994, W.B. Saunders Company. |
| Contributor | Thomas P. Eberle (National Capital Consortium) |
| Peer Reviewer | Claudia E Galbo (Uniformed Services University) |
| Record Number | : 4859 |
| Created | 2003-06-08 01:09:46-04 |
| Modified | 2003-06-23 15:31:40-04 |
| Category: | Neoplasm, carcinoma |
| Location: | Breast and Mammography |
| Sublocation: | None Selected |
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