Breast Sarcomas-How Different Are They from Breast Carcinomas? Clinical, Pathological, Imaging and Treatment Insights

A rare case report of breast sarcoma and synchronous thymoma in a 60-year-old woman

This case report aims to describe the clinical presentation, imaging findings, histopathological features and therapeutic approach of a patient diagnosed with coexisting breast sarcoma and thymoma. A 64-year-old woman presented with a palpable lump in her left breast, and subsequent imaging studies (ultrasound, mammography, and MRI) revealed breast sarcoma, a rare and aggressive subtype of breast cancer. At the same time, the MRI revealed the presence of a thymoma. A multidisciplinary approach involving surgeon, breast specialist and oncologist is essential for optimal management and favorable outcomes in patients with this rare diagnosis.

Successful management of primary sarcoma of the breast with complete pathological response: a case report

Primary sarcomas of the breast are extremely rare and heterogenous malignancies; they should be differentiated from phyllodes tumors. They are characterized by their high rate of recurrence, rapid growth and aggressive coarse. We present a case of a 41-year-old Palestinian female who presented with a recurrent breast mass. Biopsy showed primary sarcoma and imaging confirmed metastasis to axillary lymph nodes. The patient received six cycles of ifosfamide-adriamycin protocol resulting in complete pathological response. She underwent left sided modified radical mastectomy followed by radiation and six more cycles of the same protocol as adjuvant. Primary breast sarcomas are rare neoplasms that require multidisciplinary discussion to guide treatment. The approach to these tumors is chemotherapy followed by surgical resection when operable, in addition to local control via radiotherapy and adjuvant chemotherapy.

Breast Sarcomas, Phyllodes Tumors, and Desmoid Tumors: Turning the Magnifying Glass on Rare and Aggressive Entities

Breast sarcomas (BSs), phyllodes tumors (PTs), and desmoid tumors (DTs) are rare entities that arise from connective tissue. BSs can be classified as either primary or secondary, whether they develop de novo or after radiation exposure or lymphedema. PIK3CA seems to play an important common role in different BS. Malignant PTs show similar behavior to BSs, while DTs are locally aggressive but rarely metastasize. BSs usually present as unilateral, painless, rapidly growing masses with rare nodal involvement. The diagnosis should be based on magnetic resonance imaging and a core needle biopsy. Staging should comprise a chest computed tomography (CT) scan (except for benign PT and DT), while abdominal and pelvic CT scans and bone scans should be added in certain subtypes. The mainstay of treatment for localized BS is surgery, with margin goals that vary according to subtype. Radiotherapy and chemotherapy can be used as neoadjuvant or adjuvant approaches, but their use in these settings is not standard. Advanced BS should be treated with systemic therapy, consistent with recommendations for advanced soft tissue sarcomas of other topographies. Given the rarity and heterogeneity of these entities, multidisciplinary and multi-institutional collaboration and treatment at reference centers are critical.