Pleomorphic adenoma of the human breast with local recurrence.

Pleomorphic adenoma of the human breast is a rare, benign tumor for which the literature is sparse. A local recurrence has been reported only once before. The diagnostic challenge of this cancer-imitating lesion is emphasized in this report. Although local excision of the tumor is the treatment of choice, almost 50% of the patients reported have undergone fairly extensive surgery, i.e., simple or radical mastectomy. A paraffin secretion of the excised tumor is mandatory to confirm the benign nature of the lesion to avoid an unnecessary mastectomy for a benign condition.