Spindle Cell Carcinoma of the Breast in a Patient with Previous History of Rectal Cancer: A Case Report

Abstract

Abstract Background Spindle cell carcinoma of the breast is a very rare subtype of metaplastic breast cancer with aggressive behaviour in comparison with invasive ductal carcinoma, which is the most common histological type of breast cancer. It has a poor prognosis and a controversial response to systemic therapy. Aim of this study The aim of this study is to shed light on this uncommon but aggressive type of breast cancer. Case Presentation In this case report, we present a 56-year-old woman with spindle cell carcinoma of the breast with a previous history of treated rectal cancer. She presented with a left breast mass. Ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration gave results positive for malignancy. A left mastectomy with axillary clearance was done, and the histopathology was spindle cell carcinoma of the breast. The patient refused chemotherapy until five months post-operation when she presented with local recurrence of two small masses at the site of mastectomy. New imaging revealed bilateral pulmonary metastasis. She started on single agent Adriamycin and received a total of six cycles. A CT scan of the chest and abdomen with contrast revealed disease progression. Imaging of the brain showed brain metastasis. The patient refused any kind of further chemotherapy or radiotherapy treatment until she passed away one month later from aspiration pneumonia and its complications. Conclusion Metaplastic breast cancer is an aggressive subtype of breast cancer with rapid progression, a high tendency for distant metastases, a poor response to treatment, and a short survival time.