INFILTRATING DUCTAL CARCINOMA OF THE BREAST PRESENTING AS BREAST ABSCESS

Abstract

Invasive ductal carcinoma, also known as Infiltrating Ductal Carcinoma (IDC) is the most common form of breast cancer. IDC starts in the breast's milk ducts and invades the surrounding breast stroma. Breast cancer usually present as a: swelling of all or parts of breast, skin irritation or dimpling, breast pain, nipple pain or retraction, redness or scaliness or thickening of the nipple or breast skin, nipple discharge other than breast milk, or a lump in the axilla. We present a case of a 40 year old female, with no family history of malignancy, who underwent Incision and Drainage (I &D) for Right Breast Abscess 2 months back followed by a non-healing wound at the I & D site, associated with fungating growth and Right axillary lymph node enlargement, diagnosed as IDC with Axillary lymph node metastasis. Immunohistochemical studies showed deficient basement membrane and myoepithelial layer confirming the infiltrative nature.