Segmental resection of secretory carcinoma of the breast in a young woman: 14-year follow-up

A 21-year-old woman with a 5-cm secretory carcinoma of the breast was successfully treated by wide segmental excision, including removal of a portion of the nipple. At presentation, she had a 5-year history of predominantly yellow and occasionally bloody discharge from the nipple. The tumour had classical histological features of secretory carcinoma with surrounding hyaline fibrous tissue predominating, a feature previously associated with a good prognosis. Identification by frozen section of extension near the nipple led to intraoperative excision of a nipple segment. She is healthy with a satisfactory cosmetic result 14 years after excision and has breast fed two children from the affected breast.