Sarcoma of the Breast from Mankweng Breast Oncology Clinic and Literature Review

Abstract

Breast sarcoma is an uncommon clinical entity that represents less than 1% of all breast malignancies. This tumor has a mesenchymal origin and is classified into primary breast sarcomas and secondary breast sarcomas which develop as a result of previous irradiation or chronic lymphedema. A 73-year-old female was admitted to the Mankweng Academic Hospital, University of Limpopo, South Africa, with a rapidly enlarging, painful lump in her left breast with duration of 3 months. The patient had no previous history of malignancy or irradiation. Clinical local examination revealed asymmetrical breasts with the left breast bigger than the right. Mammogram revealed a large dense retro-areolar mass containing suspicious intralesional calcifications within the left breast. Histopathological results from biopsy reported features of sarcoma with a heterologous chondroid and osseous differentiation. A left mastectomy was performed, resulting in a complete removal of the tumor with clear margins. The patient was subsequently discharged home in good general condition, without complications, with appointments for follow up at the outpatient clinic, as well as a referral to the oncologists for radiotherapy.