Localized amyloidosis of the breast: a case series

We report on the clinical presentation and histopathology of a series of seven patients with localized amyloidosis of the breast. These patients were diagnosed by biopsy performed to rule out malignancy because of calcifications seen by mammography, and represented 0.5% of patients referred to the Amyloid Treatment and Research Program at Boston University Medical Campus in an 18-year period. The patients ranged in age from 35 to 75, median 63 years. None of these seven patients had evidence of a systemic plasma cell dyscrasia or amyloidosis in other organs, nor did systemic disease develop with a median follow-up of 6 years. Thus, other than excisional biopsy to exclude malignancy, no systemic therapy is indicated for this disorder.