Recurrence of adenoid cystic carcinoma in the breast after lumpectomy and adjuvant therapy

Adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC) of the breast is very rare, accounting for only 0.1% of all breast carcinomas. This unusual neoplasm of the breast has certain histopathologic and biological characteristics that distinguish it from more common histologic types. For example, the prognosis of ACC appears to be very favorable. The incidence of axillary lymph node involvement is lower, and distant metastases are uncommon, although they can occur without previous lymph node involvement. Clinical experience has shown that this entity has a low propensity for local recurrence after excision. We present a case of local recurrence of ACC in the breast detected by ultrasonography after successful treatment by lumpectomy followed by adjuvant chemotherapy and radiotherapy.