Amyloid tumour of the breast simulating carcinoma

A case is presented of a 55-year old woman with longstanding rheumatoid arthritis who presented with a lump in her right breast and a markedly enlarged right axillary lymph node. Carcinoma of the breast with lymphadenopathy was diagnosed clinically, but excisional biopsy revealed an amyloid tumour of the breast and amyloid lymphadenopathy. Amyloid tumour of the breast is an infrequently reported lesion and the association of axillary lymphadenopathy has not been reported before. The literature is reviewed and the need for a tissue diagnosis prior to embarkation on specific therapy is emphasized.