Solid subtype of adenoid cystic carcinoma of the breast with multiple distant metastases: a case report and literature review

ObjectiveTo present a rare case of adenoid cystic carcinoma of the breast (ACCB), solid subtype, with multiple distant metastases, and to analyze its clinical management and differentiation from typical triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), highlighting the lack of standardized guidelines for this r...

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Main Authors: Yibo Zhang, Xidie Li, Yaxi Xue, Xiaohui Huang, Fengxian An, Miduo Tan
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-04-01
Series:Frontiers in Oncology
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Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fonc.2025.1565175/full
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author Yibo Zhang
Xidie Li
Yaxi Xue
Xiaohui Huang
Fengxian An
Miduo Tan
Miduo Tan
author_facet Yibo Zhang
Xidie Li
Yaxi Xue
Xiaohui Huang
Fengxian An
Miduo Tan
Miduo Tan
author_sort Yibo Zhang
collection DOAJ
description ObjectiveTo present a rare case of adenoid cystic carcinoma of the breast (ACCB), solid subtype, with multiple distant metastases, and to analyze its clinical management and differentiation from typical triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), highlighting the lack of standardized guidelines for this rare entity and providing insights for future therapeutic strategies.MethodsA 46-year-old female with ACCB was followed for 9 years, documenting metastatic progression, treatment responses, and survival outcomes. A literature review was conducted to compare ACCB and TNBC in terms of clinicopathological features, immunohistochemical profiles, metastatic patterns, and therapeutic strategies.ResultsThe patient exhibited aggressive behavior with metastases to the brain, lungs, liver, and kidneys. Systemic chemotherapy (albumin-bound paclitaxel and capecitabine) combined with radiotherapy stabilized the disease, achieving a 9-year survival with preserved quality of life.ConclusionACCB requires differentiation from TNBC due to its unique biological behavior and favorable prognosis. Breast-conserving surgery with radiotherapy may be preferable for localized disease, while systemic chemotherapy should be considered for metastatic solid subtypes. This case underscores the urgent need for consensus guidelines and further research on molecular profiling to refine therapeutic approaches.
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publishDate 2025-04-01
publisher Frontiers Media S.A.
record_format Article
series Frontiers in Oncology
spelling doaj-art-49a3b0ebe86e431996118bb40b7aa1292025-08-20T02:18:42ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Oncology2234-943X2025-04-011510.3389/fonc.2025.15651751565175Solid subtype of adenoid cystic carcinoma of the breast with multiple distant metastases: a case report and literature reviewYibo Zhang0Xidie Li1Yaxi Xue2Xiaohui Huang3Fengxian An4Miduo Tan5Miduo Tan6Department of Ultrasonography, The Hunan Province Directly Affiliated TCM Hospital, Zhuzhou, Hunan, ChinaDepartment of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Zhuzhou Hospital Affiliated to Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Zhuzhou, Hunan, ChinaDepartment of Cardiology, Zhuzhou Hospital Affiliated to Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Zhuzhou, Hunan, ChinaDepartment of Breast Surgery, Zhuzhou Hospital Affiliated to Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Zhuzhou, Hunan, ChinaDepartment of Pathology, Liaocheng People's Hospital, Liaocheng, Shandong, ChinaDepartment of Ultrasonography, The Hunan Province Directly Affiliated TCM Hospital, Zhuzhou, Hunan, ChinaDepartment of Breast Surgery, Zhuzhou Hospital Affiliated to Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Zhuzhou, Hunan, ChinaObjectiveTo present a rare case of adenoid cystic carcinoma of the breast (ACCB), solid subtype, with multiple distant metastases, and to analyze its clinical management and differentiation from typical triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), highlighting the lack of standardized guidelines for this rare entity and providing insights for future therapeutic strategies.MethodsA 46-year-old female with ACCB was followed for 9 years, documenting metastatic progression, treatment responses, and survival outcomes. A literature review was conducted to compare ACCB and TNBC in terms of clinicopathological features, immunohistochemical profiles, metastatic patterns, and therapeutic strategies.ResultsThe patient exhibited aggressive behavior with metastases to the brain, lungs, liver, and kidneys. Systemic chemotherapy (albumin-bound paclitaxel and capecitabine) combined with radiotherapy stabilized the disease, achieving a 9-year survival with preserved quality of life.ConclusionACCB requires differentiation from TNBC due to its unique biological behavior and favorable prognosis. Breast-conserving surgery with radiotherapy may be preferable for localized disease, while systemic chemotherapy should be considered for metastatic solid subtypes. This case underscores the urgent need for consensus guidelines and further research on molecular profiling to refine therapeutic approaches.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fonc.2025.1565175/fulladenoid cystic carcinoma of the breasttriple-negative breast cancerdistant metastasistreatmentfollow-up
spellingShingle Yibo Zhang
Xidie Li
Yaxi Xue
Xiaohui Huang
Fengxian An
Miduo Tan
Miduo Tan
Solid subtype of adenoid cystic carcinoma of the breast with multiple distant metastases: a case report and literature review
Frontiers in Oncology
adenoid cystic carcinoma of the breast
triple-negative breast cancer
distant metastasis
treatment
follow-up
title Solid subtype of adenoid cystic carcinoma of the breast with multiple distant metastases: a case report and literature review
title_full Solid subtype of adenoid cystic carcinoma of the breast with multiple distant metastases: a case report and literature review
title_fullStr Solid subtype of adenoid cystic carcinoma of the breast with multiple distant metastases: a case report and literature review
title_full_unstemmed Solid subtype of adenoid cystic carcinoma of the breast with multiple distant metastases: a case report and literature review
title_short Solid subtype of adenoid cystic carcinoma of the breast with multiple distant metastases: a case report and literature review
title_sort solid subtype of adenoid cystic carcinoma of the breast with multiple distant metastases a case report and literature review
topic adenoid cystic carcinoma of the breast
triple-negative breast cancer
distant metastasis
treatment
follow-up
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fonc.2025.1565175/full
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