Localized Breast Amyloidosis in a Previously Treated Breast: A Case Report and Literature Review.
Zhao Jian Oswald Lee, Mihir Ananta Gudi, Puay Hoon Tan et al.
✦ AI-curated · Sources linked
Case in brief
A 61-year-old woman with prior left breast invasive ductal carcinoma developed an enlarging mass at the mastectomy site eight years after treatment. Imaging raised concern for recurrence, but biopsy showed Congo red-positive amyloid deposits with necrosis, fibrosis, and inflammation, without recurrent carcinoma or lymphoproliferative disease. Mass spectrometry detected amyloid signature proteins but did not identify a specific fibril protein or subtype. With no systemic involvement, the findings supported localized degenerative amyloidosis, possibly related to prior treatment.
What made this case unusual
The amyloid arose as a mass in a previously treated breast and mimicked local cancer recurrence; its specific fibril protein or subtype could not be determined.
Diagnostic / clinical pearl
In an ambiguous mass at a treated breast cancer site, Congo red staining and mass spectrometry can help distinguish amyloid deposition from recurrent carcinoma and lymphoproliferative disease.
Why it matters
Recognizing amyloidosis in this setting may help prevent misdiagnosis and overtreatment.