A CASE OF SIGNENT-RING CELL CARCINOMA OF THE BREAST

A 31-year-old woman was seen at the hospital because of a left palpated breast mass in September 1989, which had been noticed about 5 months before, but she did not consult with any hospitals. On physical examination a 40×30mm tumor was palpated in the left upper lateral portion of the left breast and a 21×10mm lymph node was also palpated in the left axillary. Ultrasonography of the breast visualized an irregular shaped tumor in the same portion with calcification internally. Biopsy cytology indicated carcinoma of the breast. Radical mastectomy was carried out on September 21, followed by postoperative radiation and drug regimen with carmoful and tamoxifen. The patient still alive, as of 3 years and 5 months after the operation. Histological findings of the excised tumor suggested ring cell carcinoma of the breast. This disease is so rare that only 20 cases have been seen in the Japanese literature. This paper present such a rare case with a review of the literature.