Adenoid cystic carcinoma of the breast - an aggressive presentation with pulmonary, kidney, and brain metastases: a case report

J Med Case Rep. 2017 Oct 29;11(1):303. doi: 10.1186/s13256-017-1459-0.

Abstract

Background: Adenoid cystic carcinoma of the breast is a rare malignant neoplasm associated with an excellent prognosis and a very rare occurrence of metastases.

Case presentation: We report the case of an aggressive presentation in a 65-year-old woman, of Belgian origin, who was diagnosed as having adenoid cystic carcinoma of the breast and developed metastases to her lung, kidney, and brain.

Conclusions: We describe similar cases reported in the literature and discuss the molecular characteristics and treatment paradigm of this controversially aggressive disease entity.

Keywords: Breast; Metastatic adenoid cystic carcinoma; Treatment; Triple negative.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Biopsy
  • Brain Neoplasms / radiotherapy
  • Brain Neoplasms / secondary*
  • Brain Neoplasms / surgery
  • Breast Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Breast Neoplasms / radiotherapy
  • Breast Neoplasms / surgery
  • Carcinoma, Adenoid Cystic / pathology*
  • Carcinoma, Adenoid Cystic / radiotherapy
  • Carcinoma, Adenoid Cystic / surgery
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Kidney Neoplasms / secondary*
  • Kidney Neoplasms / surgery
  • Lung Neoplasms / drug therapy
  • Lung Neoplasms / secondary*
  • Lung Neoplasms / surgery
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Neoplasms, Second Primary / diagnosis*