SPOROTRICHOSIS IN AXILLARY LYMPHADENOPATHY SIMULATING RECURRENCE OF BREAST NEOPLASM: A CASE REPORT

Abstract

Introduction: Sporotrichosis is a mycosis caused by dimorphic fungi of the Sporothrix complex. It is an anthropozoonotic
disease that can be transmitted to humans by contact with plants or animals, especially infected cats. Clinical presentation may vary depending on the host’s immunological condition. The diagnosis of sporotrichosis requires material obtained from lesion biopsies, which can be submitted for culture and microscopy. Case report: A 57-year-old female patient,
being followed up for carcinoma in situ of the left breast, presented with ipsilateral axillary lymphadenopathy on routine
examinations. She underwent ultrasound-guided core-needle biopsy of a suspicious lymph node in the left axilla, with a
diagnosis of chronic granulomatous lymphadenitis containing fungal yeasts, suggestive of sporotrichosis. Treatment with
systemic antifungal itraconazole was started with a good response. Discussion: Sporotrichosis is an important differential diagnosis for lymphadenopathy, associated or not with neoplasms being treated in our country. In the presented case,
the patient had an oligosymptomatic presentation of sporotrichosis, probably a subacute form of the cutaneous-lymphatic presentation, initially evidenced only on evaluation with imaging methods, with a good response to systemic antifungal therapy with itraconazole, also remaining without signs of recurrence of breast cancer. Conclusion: Considering
Brazil as an endemic area for sporotrichosis, the description of cases such as this one allows us to discuss and remember
this differential diagnosis in clinical situations and/or in imaging examinations, even in patients undergoing follow-up
for malignant neoplasms.