The Desmoid Tumor Research Foundation

February 2025

Desmoid-type fibromatosis of the breast: a case report and literature review

Author Information

Zijun Zhao # 1, Qingyao Shang # 1, Chenxuan Yang 1, Jiaxiang Liu 1, Shanqing Liu 2, Xiaoqian Li 3, Xiyu Kang 1, Jiaxian Yue 1, Xin Wang 1, Xiang Wang 1

1Department of Breast Surgery, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China. 2Department of Breast Disease, The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Zhengzhou University and Henan Cancer Hospital, Zhengzhou, China. 3Department of General Surgery, Beijing Huairou Teaching Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China. #Contributed equally.

Publication

Front. Oncol.

Summary

Breast desmoid-type fibromatosis (BDF) is a rare tumor predominated by mesenchymal cells. It has a high recurrence rate, although distal metastasis is uncommon. It resembles breast cancer clinically, and histological pathology is the only approach to a confirmed diagnosis. Comprehensive and individualized treatments were recommended for BDF patients. Here, we presented a case of BDF secondary to primary breast carcinoma in our center. A 47-year-old female complained of a large mass in her left breast for 2.5 months. She has a past history of left breast carcinoma with a failure of surgical and systemic intervention. Despite an active re-operation, she still suffered from disease progression with a bad prognosis. After our report, the clinicopathological traits, differential diagnosis of BDF and current recommendation of management were discussed. This case report aimed to make a clear recognition of this rare and aggressive disease and elaborate up-to-date treatment recommendations. More effective drugs and larger sample clinical studies are encouraged for better management of refractory and progressive BDF.

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