# A Rare and Intriguing Case Report of Metaplastic Breast Carcinoma

## TL;DR

This paper presents a rare case of metaplastic breast carcinoma, a fast-growing and aggressive form of breast cancer that is difficult to diagnose and has a poor prognosis.

## Contribution

The novelty lies in reporting a rare and complex case of metaplastic breast carcinoma to raise awareness among clinicians.

## Key findings

- Metaplastic breast carcinoma has both epithelial and mesenchymal components and grows rapidly.
- It is harder to diagnose than invasive ductal carcinoma and has worse survival outcomes.
- Rapidly growing breast masses should be evaluated for metaplastic or sarcomatoid malignancies.

## Abstract

Metaplastic breast carcinoma (MBC) is a rare and aggressive subtype of breast cancer characterized by the presence of both epithelial and mesenchymal components within the tumor. Its clinical and radiological appearance is comparable to other types of breast cancer, but it grows rapidly. The diagnosis of metaplastic carcinoma is largely based on the epithelial origin of the cells confirmed by immunohistochemistry (IHC). Compared to invasive ductal carcinoma, metaplastic carcinoma has a worse overall survival rate. Any patient with a rapidly growing breast mass should be assessed with suspicion of sarcomatoid or metaplastic malignant neoplasm. We report this case due to its rarity and the complex nature of the disease.