Carcinoma developing in a fibroadenoma in a woman with a family history of breast cancer: a case report and review of literature

INTRODUCTION: Malignant transformation of a fibroadenoma is rare with only about 100 cases reported in the world literature. Fibroadenoma occurring in middle aged woman with a strong family history of breast or ovarian cancer should be investigated with a high suspicion for malignancy. CASE PRESENTATION: A 35-year- old Indian lady operated previously for fibroadenoma of the right breast presented with a recurrent lump at the same site. She had a strong family history of breast carcinoma. Mammography and trucut biopsy was suggestive of infiltrating duct carcinoma. She was managed by lumpectomy and axillary lymph node dissection with a satisfactory outcome. There was no evidence of BRCA-1, BRCA-2 mutation on immunohistochemistry. CONCLUSION: Malignant change in a pre-existing fibroadenoma is rare, however in a middle aged woman with a family history of breast cancer it should be suspected. In the absence of any definite clinical and radiological criteria of diagnosing malignant change in a fibroadenoma, high suspicion index is mandatory. The management and outcome depends on the stage and grade of presentation.