Learning objectives
- To describe imaging findings of various breast metastases from extramammary malignancies.
Background
Breast metastases from extramammary malignancies are uncommon. However, they are important diagnostic considerations as their treatment and prognosis differ significantly from primary breast cancer. The most common sources are lymphomas/leukemias and melanomas (1). Typical ultrasound (US) features of hematogenous metastases include single or multiple, round to oval shaped, well-circumscribed hypoechoic masses located superficially in subcutaneous tissue or adjacent to the breast parenchyma that is relatively rich in blood supply (1,2, 3). Typical US features of lymphatic breast metastases include diffusely and heterogeneously increased echogenicities in...
Findings and procedure details
Cases:
Case 1: A 58-year-old female patient who had a diagnosis of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) presented with a palpable lesion in the right breast. Mediolateral oblique mammogram shows palpable irregular mass (1A). The US shows irregular mass with marked hypoechogenicity and lobulated margins (1B). PET-CT shows increased FDG uptake in the corresponding area (1C). Post-contrast fat saturated T1 weighted MR shows irregularly enhancing lesion (1D). PET-CT also shows increased FDG uptake in the stomach wall compatible with leukemic infiltration (1E). Histopathologic assessment of the...
Conclusion
Breast metastases from extramammary malignancies show variable imaging features. Therefore, the possibility of the metastatic lesion should be considered in evaluating breast lesions in patients with primary malignancy in other organs. Awareness of the typical and atypical imaging features of these lesions may be helpful to diagnose metastatic lesions of the breast.
Personal information and conflict of interest
H. Çelik; Izmir/TR - nothing to disclose I. Başara Akin; Izmir/TR - nothing to disclose P. Balci; Izmir, .../TR - nothing to disclose
References
1. Lee SH, Park JM, Kook SH, Han BK, Moon WK. Metastatic tumors to the breast: mammographic and ultrasonographic findings. J Ultrasound Med 2000;19:257-262.
2. Mun SH, Ko EY, Han BK, Shin JH, Kim SJ, Cho EY. Breast metastases from extramammary malignancies: typical and atypical ultrasound features. Korean J Radiol. 2014;15(1):20–28.
3. Yeh CN, Lin CH, Chen MF. Clinical and ultrasonographic characteristics of breast metastases from extramammary malignancies. Am Surg 2004;70:287-290.
