# Invasive Breast Carcinoma With a Multi-cystic Papillary Growth Pattern: A Unique Morphology of Invasion Not Currently Well Classified by the World Health Organization

**Authors:** Evan K Tweed, Andrew J Berman, Michelle Josey

PMC · DOI: 10.7759/cureus.94223 · Cureus · 2025-10-09

## TL;DR

This paper describes a rare type of invasive breast cancer with a unique papillary growth pattern not well classified by current WHO guidelines.

## Contribution

The paper introduces a newly observed invasive breast carcinoma morphology not currently recognized by the WHO classification.

## Key findings

- The case exhibits a multi-cystic papillary growth pattern not fitting existing WHO classifications.
- This morphology presents a challenge for pathologists due to its unique and unclassified features.

## Abstract

Papillary neoplasia of the breast is notoriously difficult to classify, even for seasoned pathologists and those subspecialized in breast pathology. Over the past few decades, the classification of these lesions has undergone multiple updates, and several newly recognized entities have been added. Multiple benign and malignant breast entities are characterized by the World Health Organization (WHO). Despite these categorizations, pathologists are sometimes presented with papillary morphologies and features that do not fit perfectly into any one of these classifications. We present a case of a 62-year-old female with an invasive breast carcinoma of a type that we believe is not currently well characterized by the WHO and that exhibits a papillary growth pattern, specifically invading as multi-cystic papillary structures.

## Linked entities

- **Diseases:** invasive breast carcinoma (MONDO:0006256)

## Full-text entities

- **Diseases:** the breast (MESH:D061325), Papillary neoplasia (MESH:C565310), Breast Carcinoma (MESH:D001943)

## Full text

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## Figures

6 figures with captions in the complete paper: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC12596183/full.md

## References

12 references — full list in the complete paper: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC12596183/full.md

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Source: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC12596183