Fibromatosis of the breast; another diagnosis of cancer like lesions: About 4 cases reports

Abstract

Introduction and importance

Desmoid fibromatosis is a benign monoclonal fibroblastic tumor that was first reported in 1832 and arises from musculoaponeurotic structures. It is an uncommon tumor that can mimic breast carcinoma in both hits clinical and radiological presentation.

This entity mainly affects patients in their fourth and fifth decades of life.

Case presentation

Our four patients were of young women in their 2nd and 3rd decade that consulted for masses of the breast.

These lesions were suspicious for malignancy in both their clinical and radiological features despite not having any family history of breast carcinoma.

Clinical discussion

Only histology provides the diagnosis, it is locally invasive, non-metastatic but with a high potential of recurrence and the sole treatment is complete and wide local excision with clear margins.

Conclusion

Although it is a rare clinical scenario, the presence of an unusual breast or chest wall tumor such as a desmoid tumor should be considered when obvious breast changes and history do not correlate with routine diagnostic measures.

Highlights

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  Desmoid tumors of the breast should be considered as a differencial diagnosis when facing a carcinoma like lesion in young women with no breast cancer history in family.

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  Fine needle biopsy doesn’t always bring the right diagnosis, final pathology exam after surgical excision is the main way to confirm this tumor.

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  MRI is often used as a pre operative imaging exam to study futher extension of desmoid tumors to pectoralis and eliminate other lesions.