A CASE OF WIDE SPREADING MALIGNANT MUCOCELE-LIKE TUMOR OF THE BREAST

A 48-year-old woman was admitted to the hospital because of a left breast tumor. There was a 1.5cm mass lesion in the upper median region of left breast. Following an aspiration cytology which suggested mucinous carcinoma, an excisional biopsy was performed. As the histological examination revealed malignant mucocele-like tumor (MLT), a breast conservative wide excision was performed. However, the surgical margin of the specimen was cancer positive, and a simple mastectomy was eventually added. In addition to wide spreading cystic dilatation of the mammary ducts, varying degree of atypical hyperplasia as well as intraductal carcinomatous foci were seen. Although the breast conservative therapy has been recommended for MLT because of its low grade malignancy, a careful decision for the best choice of surgery should be made, considering that a wide spreading MLT like this case has been reported sporadically.