LAUSR

Encapsulated papillary carcinoma (EPC) of the breast is a rare form of papillary carcinoma with a very good prognosis. EPC, otherwise known as intracystic or encysted papillary carcinoma, is treated as in situ disease in the absence of clear invasion. Lumpectomy alone has generally been considered sufficient treatment for these patients. The use of adjuvant radiotherapy and endocrine therapy remains a matter of debate in reported studies. We present the case of a 51-year-old woman who had undergone lumpectomy with clear margins for pure EPC who declined adjuvant treatment; however, multifocal disease recurred < 16 months after the initial surgery. This unexpected outcome suggests that some forms of EPC could be more aggressive, although, to date, no prognostic biomarkers are available to predict the risk of recurrence. More studies are needed to help identify those patients with EPC that requires more aggressive management than surgery alone.