Mucocele-like tumour of the breast

Mucocele-like (ML) lesions of the breast are rare tumours and were reported as benign lesions that histologically resembled colloid carcinoma of the breast when first described about sixteen years ago. Only subsequent reports identified ML lesions associated with ductal hyperplasia or carcinoma. The Authors report an additional case of ML tumour of the breast and review the available medical literature. A young asymptomatic woman, without family history of breast cancer, presented with a palpable breast mass. As the radiological aspect was not typical of a simple cyst, the patient underwent a fine needle aspiration biopsy which showed a doubtful pathological pattern compatible with fibroadenoma. The patient underwent surgery and the gross examination of the surgically removed mass revealed multiple aggregated cysts containing mucinous material. Microscopic examination showed a ML tumour of the breast, with aspects of cribriform ductal hyperplasia.