A Rare Case of Metaplastic Breast Carcinoma

TL;DR

This paper presents a rare case of aggressive breast cancer with unique features and highlights the need for better treatment guidelines.

Contribution

The paper contributes a detailed case study of triple-negative metaplastic breast cancer with squamous differentiation.

Findings

The patient had a palpable breast mass and inflammatory changes confirmed by imaging and biopsy.

The case emphasizes the challenges in treating metaplastic breast cancer due to its aggressive and heterogeneous nature.

Abstract

Metaplastic breast cancer (MBC) is a sporadic and highly aggressive form of breast cancer characterized histologically by a group of highly heterogeneous cells. Typical presentation is marked by a large palpable breast mass without lymph node involvement. MBC is a common cause of triple-negative breast cancer. In this case, we describe a 65-year-old woman who presented with a palpable breast mass and associated inflammatory breast changes. Following a thorough work-up with a breast ultrasound, bilateral breast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and an image-guided needle biopsy, the patient was found to have triple-negative MBC, with squamous differentiation. This case highlights the current treatment methods employed for MBC and displays the challenging therapeutic task encountered when managing this disease. This report aims to emphasize the relevance of this cancer type and to encourage further research toward the development of disease-specific treatment guidelines.

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