Learning objectives
To review the findings of the angiosarcoma of the breast in mammography, ultrasound and MRI in our patients, with radiologic-pathologic correlation.
To review the medical literature to supplement our findings and expose the most characteristic imaging features that allow us to make a suspicion diagnosis.
Background
Sarcomas of the breast constitute a very rare entity (they represent approximately 0.2 – 1 % of all malignant neoplasms of the breast). Among this group of neoplasms we find the angiosarcomas, a malignancy of endovascular origin, with very few cases described in the literature. They can be primary or secondary.
Primary angiosarcoma is not associated with any risk factor and occur in younger woman, usually in the third and fourth decades of life. They have an stimated incidence of 0.04 % of all breast...
Findings and procedure details
In this work the key imaging findings (in mammography, ultrasonography and breast MRI) of these neoplasms, with radiologic-pathologic correlation, are revised.
Although radiological findings are often nonspecific there are signs that can guide us towards its diagnosis.
-Mammography
·Mammograms may appear normal in a third of cases (more often in cases of primary angiosarcoma due to these women are young and often they have a dense breast parenchyma that obscure the lesions).
·Other times only skin thickening is noted (Fig. 1).This finding is sometimes overlooked...
Conclusion
Angiosarcoma of the breast are very aggressive neoplasms with a characteristic imaging semiology that can allow us make a prompt diagnosis, thus avoiding diagnostic delays and potentially improving the prognosis of these patients.
Personal information and conflict of interest
D. Sánchez Garcia; Madrid/ES - nothing to disclose A. Fernández Tamayo; Madrid/ES - nothing to disclose P. Elvira Ruiz; Madrid/ES - nothing to disclose J. Cabo Bolado; Madrid, MADRID/ES - nothing to disclose J. M. Zulueta Odriozola; Madrid/ES - nothing to disclose E. Garcia Laborda; Madrid/ES - nothing to disclose F. Olcoz Monreal; Madrid/ES - nothing to disclose O. Bueno Zamora; Madrid/ES - nothing to disclose
References
Glazebrook KN, Magut MJ, Reynolds C. Angiosarcoma of the breast. AJR Am J Roentgenol. 2008;190 (2): 533-8.
Lim RF, Goei R. Best cases from the AFIP: angiosarcoma of the breast. Radiographics. 2007;27Suppl 1 : S125-30.
Marchant LK, Orel SG, Perez-jaffe LA et-al. Bilateral angiosarcoma of the breast on MR imaging. AJR Am J Roentgenol. 1997;169 (4): 1009-10.
Sanders LM, Groves AC, Schaefer S. Cutaneous angiosarcoma of the breast on MRI. AJR Am J Roentgenol. 2006;187 (2): W143-6.
Marchant LK, Orel SG, Perez-jaffe LA et-al. Bilateral...