mammary fibromatosis

Fibromatoses of the breast are nonmetastasizing tumors, but can be infiltrative and locally recurrent. Breast fibromatoses are rare, and their specific genetic alterations have not been elucidated.

However, their occasional occurrence in patients with familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) and their morphologic identification with other deep fibromatoses (desmoid tumors) suggest that alterations of the APC/beta-catenin pathway might be involved in the pathogenesis of sporadic and FAP-associated breast fibromatoses.

Molecular biology

Alterations of the APC/beta-catenin pathway with resultant nuclear translocation of beta-catenin are important in the pathogenesis of both sporadic and FAP-associated breast fibromatosis. The spectrum of beta-catenin and APC alterations is similar to that described for desmoid tumors of the abdomen, paraspinal region, and extremities. (11823972)

References

 Abraham SC, Reynolds C, Lee JH, Montgomery EA, Baisden BL, Krasinskas AM, Wu TT. Fibromatosis of the breast and mutations involving the APC/beta-catenin pathway. Hum Pathol. 2002 Jan;33(1):39-46. PMID: 11823972