Rare Presentation of Synchronous Accessory Breast Carcinoma in Abdominal Wall - A Case Report and Review of the Literature.

Abstract

Primary malignancy in accessory breast tissue is an infrequent diagnosis representing less than 1% of all breast cancers and most commonly presents with a palpable mass in the axilla. Furthermore, a concurrent second primary breast cancer found in accessory breast tissue is an extremely rare phenomenon, although reports of these are on the rise. Extra-mammary sites where second primary breast malignancies have been reported include the inframammary fold, the abdomen and even the vulva. When an ectopic immunobreast malignancy is suspected, triple assessment is the standard approach to investigation. However, there are no specific treatment guidelines, and it therefore follows the same guidelines as for pectoral breast cancer. Here, we present a report of a 71-year-old female being treated for a left breast cancer, diagnosed with a concurrent second primary breast carcinoma in the right upper quadrant of the abdominal wall, which was surgically managed with wide local excision and sentinel lymph node biopsy. This case highlights the importance of maintaining a high index of suspicion during assessment of these patients in order to establish the correct diagnosis at an early stage.