A 30-year-old woman has a well-circumscribed, mobile breast mass. Histology shows a tumor with pushing borders, dense lymphoplasmacytic infiltrate, high nuclear grade, and syncytial growth pattern. The tumor is triple-negative. Which is the most likely diagnosis?

• A Medullary carcinoma ✓
• B Invasive ductal carcinoma, no special type
• C Mucinous carcinoma
• D Metaplastic carcinoma

Explanation

Medullary carcinoma is a subtype of triple-negative breast cancer characterized by pushing borders, dense lymphoplasmacytic infiltrate, high nuclear grade, and syncytial growth. Despite being high-grade and triple-negative, it has a better prognosis than standard invasive ductal carcinoma.

Reference: Robbins and Cotran Pathologic Basis of Disease, 10th ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.