Breast metastasis from an olfactory esthesioneuroblastoma: A case report and review of the literature

Abstract

Metastases to the breast from an extra-mammary malignancy are extremely rare. Lymphomas and melanomas are the most commonly reported secondary tumors in the breast. Breast metastasis from an esthesioneuroblastoma is extremely rare and only 3 cases are described in the literature. We herein report another case of 31 year-old woman diagnosed with an esthesioneuroblastoma since two years, who presented to our hospital for a breast rapidly growing mass in the right upper inner quadrant. On physical examination, this mass measured 3cm, was firm with no skin retraction and no nipple discharge. Imaging features revealed multiples nodules with irregular border. A fine needed biopsy was performed. On pathological examination, the tumor was arranged in nests and lobules of monotonous tumor cells with round nuclei, indistinct nucleoli and scanty cytoplasm. On immunohistochemistry, the tumor cells were positive for chromogranin. Estrogen and progesterone receptors were negative as well as mammaglobin. Based on the pathological features and clinical history in conjunction with the immunohistochemical finding, the diagnosis of a metastasis of the esthesioneuroblastoma to the breast was made.Our case highlighted the importance of clinical history and imaging features when dealing with a breast lump.