Purpose
The diagnosis of unusual malignant breast tumors can be challenging.
They are usually divided into four main groups: invasive lobular carcinoma,
well-differentiated subtypes of invasive ductal carcinoma,
cancers of stromal origin,
and metastatic neoplasms.
Some of the radiological findings of these uncommon neoplasms may overlap with the commonest forms of either benign and malignant breast lesions.
However their diagnosis might be suspected,
their imaging characteristics associated with patient demographics and clinical history may suggest the correct diagnosis.
The purposes of our study were to:
-...
Methods and Materials
A retrospective study was based on the analysis of the radiologic and histopathologic databases of our institution (IPOLFG),
from January 2000 to November 2012.
A statistical analysis of the spectrum of unusual malignant breast tumors diagnosed in our institution during the last 12 years was performed,
as well as a pictorial review and a detailed description of the most common mammographic (MG),
ultrasonographic (US) and magnetic resonance (MR) imaging features of these pathologies,
a correlation between the imagiologic and histopathologic findings,
and a review with...
Results
Results:
From January 2000 to November 2012,
363 (6%) patients in our institution,
from a total of 6041 cases of malignant breast neoplasms,
had confirmed diagnosis of the above referred unusual malignant breast tumors by imaging guided biopsy (see Fig.
1).
362 patients underwent both mammography and ultrasonography; 1 patient was studied only by ultrasonography; and the majority of the patients performed MR imaging.
Of these,
- 2,7% (n=163) were due to well-differentiated subtypes of Invasive Ductal Carcinoma (1,4% (n=85) Mucinous Carcinoma; 1,1% (n=68) Papillary...
Conclusion
In the last twelve years,
the prevalence of this wide group of unusual malignant breast neoplasms in our institution was globally concordant with the available literature.
Although some of these lesions may have a classic imaging appearance,
there is a considerable overlap between uncommon malignant breast tumors and the ordinary benign or malignant breast lesions with regard to mammographic,
US and MR imaging features.
The familiarization with their clinical behavior and with their imaging features is essential,
although a biopsy is necessary for a definitive...
References
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Irshad A,
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Personal Information
Marta Morna Palmeiro,
Serviço de Radiologia,
Director: Dr.
José Venâncio,
Instituto Português de Oncologia de Lisboa Francisco Gentil E.P.E.,
Lisbon,
Portugal;
[email protected]
Ana Loureiro,
Serviço de Radiologia,
Director: Dr.
José Venâncio,
Instituto Português de Oncologia de Lisboa Francisco Gentil E.P.E.,
Lisbon,
Portugal;
[email protected]
Mónica Coutinho,Serviço de Radiologia,
Director: Dr.
José Venâncio,
Instituto Português de Oncologia de Lisboa Francisco Gentil E.P.E.,
Lisbon,
Portugal;
[email protected]
Joana Ip,Serviço de Radiologia,
Director: Dr.
José Venâncio,
Instituto Português de Oncologia de Lisboa Francisco Gentil E.P.E.,
Lisbon,
Portugal;
[email protected]
Elisa Melo...
