Study of incidence and pattern of rare tumors of breast: Study in a tertiary care centre

Background and aim: Breast lesions, though more common than most other organ lesions, still deserve a special place in every pathologists mind because of their diversity. Lesions in the breast vary from simple fibroadenoma to various commoner carcinomas like infiltrating ductal carcinomas, to rarer entities, such as angiosarcoma, hemangiopericytoma, nodular hidradenoma, pleomorphic variant of lobular carcinoma, medullary carcinomas and carcinoid tumors; which can be compared to “an oasis in the desert”. Methods: A 3-year retrospective study was carried out to evaluate the incidence and pattern of rare breast lesions in an upcoming teaching hospital, along with clinicohistopathological correlation. Specimens were preserved in 10% formalin and processed in a routine manner. Hematoxylin–eosin sections were studied and a morphological diagnosis was reached. Results: Some rare entities, namely pleomorphic variant of lobular carcinoma, medullary carcinoma, mucinous carcinoma, tubular carcinoma, apocrine carcinoma, cribriform carcinoma, anaplastic carcinoma, occult breast carcinoma, hemangiopericytoma, angiosarcoma, carcinoid tumor and nodular hidradenoma, were diagnosed. A brief review of published work of the various rare entities encountered in the present study was also made. Conclusions: It is imperative to be vigilant during microscopic diagnosis so that rare tumors are not missed.