Metaplastic breast carcinoma with invasive and high-grade ductal carcinoma in situ; a rare case with review of literature

ABSTRACT Introduction: Metaplastic breast carcinoma (MBC) represents a rare disease entity of a heterogeneous group of primary breast malignancies with an incidence of 0.25%–1% of all breast cancers. The current study aims to report a rare case of metaplastic breast carcinoma associated with invasive and high-grade ductal carcinoma in situ. Case report: A 42-year-old female presented with a right breast mass for nine months. Ultrasound examination revealed the whole breast to be enlarged by a complex mass occupying most of the lateral two-third of the breast, measuring (130 × 140mm). The mass was a mixture of a predominantly vascular solid component with cystic changes and haemorrhage. The patient underwent wide local excision. Discussion: There is a variation in the degree and type of metaplastic change leading to variable histopathologic subtypes, previously WHO classified MBC into two types, epithelial and mixed types, which further divides into many subtypes. Conclusion: This study reveals that metaplastic carcinoma can occur in association with invasive and high-grade ductal carcinoma in situ. Highlights