Adenoid cystic carcinoma or cylindroma of the breast. General review in light of one case report

: Cystic adenoid carcinoma or cylindroma of the breast is a rare tumour, and until new only 140 cases have been described in the literature. The clinical criteria are not very specific: tumour in a woman of 50 years of age, with slow growth, unilateral, well delimited, firm, peri-areolar, painless and not adherent to the skin nor the deep tissues. The diagnosis is made by histological examination which shows the presence of pseudo-cysts encased in cellular masses heaped up, composing epithelium and myo-epithelial elements. These are sometimes visible with optic microscopy, and if necessary confirmed by electron microscopy and using immunohistochemical techniques. It is now realised that the myo-epithelial cell plays a role in the histogenesis of the cylindroma. The outcome is usually good after simple surgical removal which has to be sufficient to avoid local recurrences. All the same there have been rare cases of metastases in the literature which means that these cases should be followed up carefully.