Related Experiment Video
Updated: Oct 26, 2025
13:35
Endoscopic Bilateral Nipple-sparing Mastectomy via a Single Axillary Incision with Immediate Pre-pectoral Implant-based Breast Reconstruction
Published on: May 17, 2024
3.3K
Primary ectopic axillary breast cancer: a case series
S Sghaier1, M GHalleb2, I Marghli2
1Surgical oncology department, Salah Azaiez Institute of cancer, Tunis, Tunisia. Sarah.sghaier91@gmail.com.
Journal of Medical Case Reports
|July 31, 2021
Summary
Ectopic breast cancer, though rare, can be treated effectively with local excision, offering promising long-term outcomes for patients with this uncommon condition.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Surgical Oncology
- Radiology
Background:
- Ectopic breast tissue affects 2-6% of women.
- Ectopic breast cancer is rare, comprising 0.3% of all breast neoplasms.
- Limited evidence exists for ectopic breast cancer treatment outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To report long-term outcomes of ectopic breast cancer cases.
- To evaluate the safety and efficacy of local excision for ectopic breast cancer.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective case series of five patients with ectopic breast cancer.
- Median patient age was 48 years; median follow-up was 8 years.
- Treatments included wide local excision, axillary lymph node dissection, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and hormone therapy.
Main Results:
- Four patients had ectopic breast tissue in the axilla.
- Three patients with positive lymph nodes received adjuvant therapies.
- Three patients remained relapse-free; one had a locoregional relapse, and one developed distant metastasis.
Conclusions:
- Primary axillary breast carcinoma is a rare diagnosis.
- Local excision appears to be a safe and effective treatment option.
- Promising outcomes support local excision for ectopic breast cancer.
