lnvasive cystic hypersecretory carcinoma of the breast associated with papillary pattern: a rare and poorly recognised variant of ductal carcinoma of the breast

Cystic hypersecretory pattern is a rare and poorly recognised variant of invasive ductal carcinoma of the breast. Cystic hypersecretory lesions of the breast have a spectrum of morphological features ranging from clearly benign cystic hypersecretory hyperplasia (CHH), CHH with atypia, cystic hypersecretory carcinoma (CHC) to invasive CHC. Until now, no case of invasive CHC has been reported in India, to the best of our knowledge. We report a case of a 57-year-old female with a history of a lump in the inferomedial quadrant of the right breast for three years, gradually increasing in size. A mammography showed a well-defined, lobulated radio-opacity. A modified radical mastectomy was done. Gross examination showed multiple cystic spaces filled with thick gelatinous material and solid areas. On histopathology, cystic hypersecretory variant of invasive ductal breast carcinoma with focal papillary pattern was diagnosed. Cystic hypersecretory ductal carcinoma behaves in a low-grade fashion for many years but has a potential for invasiveness and metastasis, so regular follow-up of such cases is crucial.