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Presentation Description
Institution: Christchurch Hospital - Christchurch , Aotearoa New Zealand
A 38-year-old New Zealand European woman presented with a new lump and distortion in the lower outer quadrant of her right breast, noticed during a routine shower. She had a medical history of depression managed with citalopram and was premenopausal, with no family history of breast cancer. The levonorgestrel implant she had been using was removed after the biopsy diagnosis.
Triple assessment showed marked skin thickening, increased density, and architectural distortion on mammography, with enlarged level 1 axillary lymph nodes on ultrasound. Core biopsy confirmed invasive carcinoma NST with lobular growth pattern (Grade 2-3), estrogen receptor-negative, progesterone receptor-positive, and HER2-positive.
Further staging revealed widespread disease. A bone scan showed diffuse uptake in the right breast and axillary lymphadenopathy. MRI showed over 20 cm of affected breast tissue with skin and muscle involvement, lymphatic obstruction, and suspicious nodules near the liver.
While awaiting outpatient evaluation, the patient’s condition worsened rapidly, with increased breast swelling, pain, fatigue, and shortness of breath. On examination, peau d'orange, cutaneous tumor deposits crossing the midline, and matted lymph nodes in the right axilla were noted, consistent with carcinoma en cuirasse. Petechiae and bruising were also observed.
Laboratory tests revealed severe anemia, thrombocytopenia, and a leucoerythroblastic blood film. CT imaging showed a subdural hematoma. Bone marrow aspiration confirmed metastatic infiltration by non-hematopoietic cells, consistent with breast carcinoma.
The patient was started on paclitaxel, trastuzumab, and pertuzumab under oncology care. This case of inflammatory breast cancer is notable for rapid progression, the rare "carcinoma en cuirasse" presentation, and significant bone marrow infiltration leading to cytopenia.
Presenters
Authors
Authors
Dr Stacey Caldwell - , Dr Michael Swinden -
