Abstract
A 51-year-old woman underwent tumor resection for an intracystic tumor in the left upper breast, followed by tumor resection for a local recurrence that later developed in the outer region ; the pathological diagnosis was benign for both tumors. Multiple intracystic carcinomas of the breast occurred from the residual breast near the site of the previous tumor resection, and mastectomy was performed. Local recurrence of intracystic carcinoma of the breast occurred three times thereafter, and tumor resection was performed. The patient was referred to our hospital for radiation therapy. Further detailed examination showed intracystic carcinoma of the breast within the pectoralis minor muscle, and it was resected following needle cytology. The surgical specimen showed a negative margin. Radiation therapy was subsequently performed. Recurrence of intracystic carcinoma of the breast within the pectoralis major muscle was observed approximately two years later. The site of recurrence matched that were the needle cytology recurrence had therefore occurred a total of six times in a span of six years and four months. Based on the pathological slides and operative notes from the first surgery, rupture of non-invasive intracystic carcinoma of the breast was suspected. In addition, the needle cytology performed for the intracystic tumor at our department may also, in a way, be regarded as a rupture. The issues suggested by the present case are reported with reference to the literature.
