Bilateral amyloid tumours of the breast

An 82 year old woman with bilateral amyloid tumours of the breast is described. Clinically, the breast masses were hard and were suspicious of carcinoma. Investigation revealed no evidence of systemic amyloidosis or amyloid related illness. Microscopically there was no neoplasia. Instead there was extensive fibrosis with amyloid deposition in perivascular periductal areas and also in the intervening stroma. The presence of amyloid was confirmed by special stains and by electron microscopy.