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Primary Small Cell Cancer of the Breast: An Unusual Presentation
Jay K Garlapati1, Desten Howard2, Jordan Maier1
1Department of Oncology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, USA.
Abstract:
Primary small cell carcinoma of the breast (PSCCB) is a rare but aggressive disease with multiple treatment options available, including surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy. We report a case of a 51-year-old female patient who presented with a palpable left breast mass. An ultrasound-guided core needle biopsy of the affected area revealed triple-negative small cell carcinoma of the left breast. The patient underwent neoadjuvant chemotherapy, breast-conserving surgery with negative margins, and post-operative radiation therapy. One year later, the patient developed pathologic evidence of metastatic disease. Despite receiving three additional chemotherapeutic regimens and site-specific radiation treatments, the patient continued to have widespread metastatic disease. This case underscores the challenges of diagnosing and treating PSCCB and the urgent need for creating a standardized treatment protocol to improve patient outcomes.
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