Myoid (Muscular) Hamartoma of the Breast: Case Report and Review of the Literature

Abstract

Background: Myoid (muscular) hamartoma (MH) of the breast is a rare benign tumour-forming lesion composed of differentiated mammary glandular and stromal structures, fatty tissue, and areas of smooth muscle. It is considered to be a variant of mammary hamartoma. Case Report: We report the case of a 46-year-old woman with MH, and provide a literature review explaining the origin of smooth muscle cells. Histologically, the tumour consisted of fibrolipomatous stroma containing ductal and lobular structures of the mammary gland located mainly at the tumour borders. The glandular structures showed signs of micro- and macrocystic changes, apocrine metaplasia, and adenosis. The dominant feature was the presence of a fascicular formation of spindle cells, predominantly in central parts, with incursion between glandular structures. Immunohistochemically, foci of smooth muscle tissue were positive for desmin, smooth muscle actin, and h-caldesmon. Oestrogen and progesterone receptors (PR) showed positive expression which was markedly higher for PR. There was negative expression of CD34, S-100 protein, and CD10. Conclusions: The origin of smooth muscle cells in MH is unknown. However, it is presumed to be derived from hormonally responsive breast stromal cells by smooth muscle metaplasia, based on evidence of hormone receptor expression in the lesion.