Apocrine adenoma of the breast.

A case of apocrine adenoma, a rare benign tumor of the breast is reported. A left breast nodule from a 47-year-old female was found by mammography and excised. The tumor was well circumscribed and composed of tightly packed tubules lined by cells with apocrine features. There has been no recurrence in two years. The few previously reported cases are summarized. Apocrine adenomas have been reported arising in a variety of sites including the breast, (1-5) perianal region, (6,7) eyelid, (8) and axilla. (9) Their appearance has similarities to the apocrine metaplasia commonly seen in fibrocystic change of the breast but they are well-circumscribed tumors with closely packed tubular and papillary structures. They are not distinctive by mammography or physical examination and should be managed as any other breast mass.