Primary breast sarcoma: case report

Abstract

Primary breast sarcoma is a rare entity occurring in 0.5% of women with breast malignancy. Like in breast carcinoma, delay in its diagnosis has important clinical and treatment implications. The subject of this report presented at our breast unit with advanced breast lesion months after she noticed a small lump in her right breast. She had no clear diagnosis despite several consultations, in-patient treatments at two facilities in the city, breast ultrasonography, breast mammography and three fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) examinations. The patient needed multiple blood transfusions. A final FNAC showed ductal carcinoma. Histology following wide excision confirmed high-grade primary stromal breast sarcoma. She required adjuvant combination chemotherapy. A combination of diagnostic failures and patient fault caused delay in subject's treatment. Lesion progression during delay which influenced the pattern of physical morbidity, tumour prognosis and need for adjuvant treatment. Embracing the concept of breast care in dedicated breast units may minimise such treatment delays.


East African Medical Journal Vol.81(7) 2004: 375-377