Abstract
Pilomatrix carcinoma is an exceedingly rare skin adnexal neoplasm derived from piliferous
follicles, usually occurring in the head and neck region. Localization of this tumor
in the breast is a rarity. We now report an unusual case of a 49-year-old female who
presented with a palpable mass in the left breast for 2 years. Mammogram revealed
a large, lobulated opacity with calcification, and positron emission tomography–computed
tomography showed a metabolically active soft tissue mass measuring 15 cm involving
all the quadrants of the left breast. Subsequently, the patient underwent radical
mastectomy, and histopathologic diagnosis of pilomatrix carcinoma of the breast was
offered. Pilomatrix carcinoma, although exceedingly rare, can have an intramammary
location and can be misdiagnosed as breast carcinoma on limited material. A high index
of suspicion is required to arrive at an accurate diagnosis so as to obviate neoadjuvant
chemotherapy.
Keywords
Metaplastic carcinoma of the breast - pilomatrix carcinoma - pilomatrixoma
