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Malignant phyllodes tumour of the breast mimicking endometriosis

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Abstract

A 63-year-old woman presented with a clinically malignant mass. Core biopsy showed features resembling endometriosis. The glands were GATA3 and oestrogen receptor positive consistent with mammary origin and had no myoepithelial layer. The excision also showed a fibroepithelial component with stromal overgrowth, frequent mitoses and invasive margin consistent with a malignant phyllodes tumour. KMT2D and SETD2 mutations were present in both the conventional phyllodes tumour and endometriosis-like areas and are also described in endometriosis raising interesting questions about these lesions. This unusual pattern is a potential diagnostic pitfall, so it is helpful to be aware of it.

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Authors and Affiliations

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Contributions

AHSL, UZ, RA and PHT reviewed the pathology and wrote the pathology section. MJH wrote the clinical section. NDMN, CCYN and BTT did the molecular analysis and with PHT wrote the molecular section.

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Correspondence to Andrew H. S. Lee.

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We thank the patient for her consent to genetic testing.

Conflict of interest

BTT and PHT jointly hold patent applications for PCT/SG2015/050107 (Breast fibroadenoma susceptibility mutations and use thereof) and PCT/SG2015/050368 (method and kit for pathologic grading of breast neoplasms).

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Lee, A.H.S., Zanetto, U., Awasthi, R. et al. Malignant phyllodes tumour of the breast mimicking endometriosis. Virchows Arch 479, 1051–1053 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00428-021-03086-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00428-021-03086-6

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