Cholesterol Granuloma of the Breast Mimicking Cancer: A Case Report and Review of the Literature

• Published in: JIM - high impact case reports Vol. 11; p. 23247096231193275
• Main Authors: Lahbacha, Bahaeddine, Chaabane, Abir, Chelly, Beya, Douggaz, Amel, Mfarrej, Mohamed Karim, Jbir, Ichraf, Nechi, Salwa, Chelbi, Emna
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Los Angeles, CA SAGE Publications 01-01-2023; Sage Publications Ltd; SAGE Publishing
• Subjects: Biopsy; Breast cancer; Breasts; Case Report; Case reports; Cysts; Mammography; cancer; pathology; cholesterol granuloma; breast
• ISSN: 2324-7096; 2324-7096
• DOI: 10.1177/23247096231193275

Cholesterol granuloma of the breast is an infrequent benign lesion with clinical and radiological findings suggestive of cancer. Herein, we present the case of a 52-year-old woman with no significant past medical history, who presented to the outpatient department for her routine breast screening. Physical examination revealed a painless palpable nodule in the upper external quadrant of the left breast, measuring 0.7 cm. On imaging, the mass met the criteria for Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System (BI-RADS) category 4B. Subsequently, a core needle biopsy of the mass was performed. Despite the alarming radiologic features, microscopic findings were consistent with breast cholesterol granuloma.