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2026, Number 2

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Rev Fac Med UNAM 2026; 69 (2)

Primary Breast Chondrosarcoma: A Case Report and Review of the Literature

Santiago-Sanabria L, Llano-Tostado A, Sanabria-Villegas LC, Iturralde-Rosas PP, Molina-Pérez CJ

Language: Spanish
References: 38
Page: 39-51
PDF size: 268.62 Kb.


ABSTRACT

Primary chondrosarcoma of the breast is an exceedingly rare neoplasm, with only a limited number of cases reported in international medical literature. In the present article, we describe the case of a 65-year-old woman with no relevant past medical history who presented to the breast clinic with a palpable breast mass of six months’ duration.
Mammography was requested as the initial imaging modality, revealing an irregular, spiculated, hyperdense mass located in the upper outer quadrant of the left breast. Complementary breast ultrasonography identified two irregular, spiculated nodules with a combined size of 2.2 cm. The lesion was classified as BI-RADS 5. Subsequently, a core needle biopsy was performed. Histological examination demonstrated a high-grade mesenchymal neoplasm characterized by marked cellularity, significant cytologic atypia, and the presence of chondrocytes with abundant eosinophilic cytoplasm, hyperchromatic pleomorphic nuclei, and anaplastic cells, findings consistent with a primary chondrosarcoma of the breast.
Considering the histological grade and tumor size, the lesion was classified as stage II according to the breast sarcoma staging system. After discussion in a multidisciplinary breast tumor board, a total mastectomy was performed due to the aggressive nature of the tumor and its poor prognostic features. Adjuvant treatment with external beam radiotherapy directed to the chest wall was administered with the aim of achieving local disease control. During follow-up, the patient has remained free of recurrence during the 6 months following completion of treatment.
Breast chondrosarcomas represent a rare spectrum of breast tumors that predominantly affect postmenopausal women. Clinically, they usually present as a palpable mass, underscoring the importance of diagnostic mammography and histological confirmation through biopsy. Immunohistochemical markers such as S100 protein and vimentin play a crucial role in reaching the diagnosis. The surgical approach remains the cornerstone of treatment. The role of adjuvant therapies remains controversial; therefore, treatment decisions should be individualized on a case-by-case basis.


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