Case Report of a Tubular Carcinoma of the Breast Diagnosed by a Mammotome Probe

Abstract

A 43-year-old woman presented with a palpable hard mass in the left breast. Physical examination revealed a 1.0×0.8cm, nontender, and firm ovoid mass. A mammogram revealed a focal asymmetric density in the left breast that was suspected of being a carcinoma. Ultrasonography of the left breast showed a 12.0×7.5×6.5mm, poorly defined hypoechoic mass with irregular margins and posterior acoustic shadowing. Fine-needle aspiration cytology revealed benign cells. We performed a mammotome probe to make a definite diagnosis, which showed tubular carcinoma. The patient underwent breast conservation surgery (Bp + Ax). The histopathologic examination revealed well-differentiated tubular carcinoma. Immunohistochemical staining showed that estrogen receptors and progesterone receptors were positive, while human epidermal growth factor receptor type 2 was negative. After the operation, she received endocrine therapy for 5 years. She is alive without any residual or metastatic disease 90 months after being diagnosed.