Invasive Breast Carcinoma Arising in Microglandular Adenosis: Two Case Reports

Microglandular adenosis (MGA) is a rare benign disease that shows an infiltrative growth pattern of small glands, and it may progress to include atypia and carcinoma. Here we report two cases of breast carcinoma arising in MGA. Case 1 was a 44-year-old woman with a previous history of ductal carcinoma in situ in her right breast. During a follow-up, a 1.8 cm mass-like lesion was found in her left breast. An excisional biopsy suggested that the lesion was breast carcinoma. Case 2 was a 57-year-old woman with a 2.9 cm mass in her right breast. A core needle biopsy of the lesion suggested invasive carcinoma. Both patients underwent modified radical mastectomy with sentinel lymph node biopsy. Both tumors lacked a myoepithelial cell layer and stained positively for S-100, lysozyme, and α1-antitrypsin, which is typical of MGA. Both cases showed invasive carcinoma arising in MGA.     

Breast Metastasis from Rhabdomyosarcoma of the Anus in an Adolescent Female

Rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) of the breast is rare and there is scant information about the clinical behavior and treatment strategies. We report an adolescent female patient with metastatic RMS of the breast from the anus. An 18-year-old female patient was referred to our clinic due to palpable mass in the left breast. At age seven, she was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia and treated with chemoradiation therapy. After 10 years of complete remission state, she presented with anal mass which was diagnosed as RMS and she received chemoradiation therapy. After 1 year of complete remission state, she noticed a palpable mass in her left breast. The breast mass was diagnosed as metastatic RMS based on core needle biopsy specimen. The RMS in breast was excised for the decreasing tumor burden despite of another metastatic lesion. Although rarely reported, metastasis of RMS should be considered as a cause of breast mass. Tissue biopsy is recommended when clinically suspected lesion is detected.     

Nodular fasciitis of the breast

We report a case of nodular fasciitis of the breast, which is a rare histological type of breast tumor. A 41-year-old woman had noticed a mass in her right breast. The mass was elastic-hard, 15 mm x 15 mm in size, and located mainly in the upper outer quadrant of the right breast. Mammography demonstrated an oval dense mass with spiculation. Ultrasonography revealed a hypoechoic lesion, 8 mm x 10 mm in size. Fine needle aspiration cytology and core needle biopsy showed no evidence of malignancy. Excisional biopsy was performed. The tumor was characterized by a proliferation of fibroblastic cells. Histologically, the excised tumor was consistent with nodular fasciitis of the breast. Nodular fasciitis should be considered in the differential diagnosis of a mass suspicious for breast cancer.     

临床未扪及肿块的乳腺病灶穿刺活检现状

对于影像学诊断发现的临床摸不到块的乳腺病灶 ,可以采用B超或者X线立体定位下进行活检。细针吸取细胞学检查 (FNA)和空心针穿刺活检 (CNB)是目前最常用的两种穿刺活检诊断方法。对于乳腺X线异常的病灶 ,X线立体定位穿刺活检不仅诊断敏感性高 ,而且可以使大量良性病变免于不必要的手术 ;另外它还有助于手术方案的制定。由于存在组织学低估以及漏检等情况 ,穿刺活检尚不能完全取代手术活检。因此 ,必须合理地选择穿刺对象及掌握再次活检的指征     

A Radial Sclerosing Lesion Mimicking Breast Cancer on Mammography in a Young Woman

A spiculated mass on a mammogram is highly suggestive of malignancy. We report the case of a 32-year-old woman with a radial sclerosing lesion that mimicked breast cancer on mammography. She visited her physician after palpating a lump in her left breast. Mammography showed architectural distortion in the upper inner quadrant of the left breast. Ultrasonography showed a low echoic area with an ambiguous boundary. Core needle biopsy was performed because of the suspicion of malignancy. Histological examination did not reveal any malignant cells. After 6 months, the breast lump became larger and the patient was referred to our hospital. Mammography performed in our hospital showed a spiculated mass, and therefore mammotome biopsy was performed. Histological examination revealed dense fibroelastic stroma with a wide variety of mastopathic changes, leading to a diagnosis of a radial sclerosing lesion. One year after the biopsy, the lump on her left breast had disappeared and mammography showed no spiculated mass.Key words: Breast cancer, Radial sclerosing lesion, Mammography, Young women     

Diabetic mastopathy in an advanced elderly woman with insulindependent type 2 diabetes mellitus

Diabetic mastopathy is an unusual stromal fibrotic lesion, but typically occurs in long-standing insulin dependent and younger diabetic patients. We report a case of diabetic mastopathy in an older diabetic patient. The patient was a 76-year-old woman with a history of type 2 diabetes mellitus for 13 years and 3 years of insulin treatment. She developed a 3 cm, hard, mobile nodule in the left breast. Mammography revealed a dense mass. Ultrasonography showed an irregular-shaped hypoechoic lesion with an unclear boundary and acoustic shadowing. Since fine needle aspiration biopsy delivered insufficient material and core needle biopsy did not yield any specific findings for diagnosis, clinically diabetic mastopathy was the prime suspect but breast cancer could be completely ruled out. Surgical excision was thus performed and diabetic mastopathy was confirmed pathologically. We report on this rare case of diabetic mastopathy in a 76 year-old type 2 diabetic patient.     

Diabetic mastopathy: a case report with reference to the findings of enhanced computed tomography

We report a case of insulin-dependent diabetic fibrous mastopathy with special reference to the findings of computed tomography (CT). The patient was a 27-year-old woman with a history of insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus from childhood who presented with a right breast tumor. Physical examination showed a stony-hard, ill-defined but freely movable mass under the nipple of the right breast without nipple discharge. Mammography revealed a high-density mass shadow without microcalcifications or spicular formation. Ultrasonographic examination revealed an irregularly-shaped hypoechoic lesion with marked posterior acoustical shadowing. Contrast-enhanced CT revealed poor early phase contrast enhancement and slight delayed phase heterogeneous enhancement. Since core needle biopsy revealed fibrocystic disease, the lesion was suspicious for diabetic mastopathy. Incisional biopsy of the right breast lump was performed. On histopathological examination, the lesion showed fibrosis with dense lymphocytic infiltration around the lobules. Diabetic fibrous mastopathy was diagnosed. Physicians should be aware of the association of long-standing diabetes mellitus with the development of fibrous mastopathy. CT is considered a useful tool to differentiate diabetic mastopathy from breast cancer.     

Core needle biopsy (CNB) as a diagnostic method for breast lesions: Comparison with fine needle aspiration cytology (FNA)

In Japan, fine needle aspiration biopsy (FNA) of the breast has long been recognized as a useful diagnostic tool, and has been used in many institutions because it provides a rapid, accurate and cost-effective evaluation. However, the use of core needle biopsy (CNB) is increasing, and vacuum assisted biopsy devices have been developed to produce larger specimens for analysis. CNB is useful because the frequency of inadequate specimens is lower than in FNA, and it requires a less invasive procedure than open biopsy. CNB is also more widely used, compared to FNA, because it can provide a more definitive diagnosis of borderline lesions and can be used to distinguish between IDC and ILC. Therefore, the use of CNB with mammographic or ultrasonographic guidance is especially high for non-palpable tumors. FNA is a rapid and non-invasive procedure that is useful for mass lesions. The accuracy of FNA for non-palpable lesions is relatively low, and depends upon the skill of the aspirators, cytoscreeners and cytopathologists involved in the procedure. However, FNA for palpable masses, coupled with a physical and mammographic examination (the so-called triple test) is highly accurate for diagnosis of breast cancer when all three modalities indicate malignancy, and for a benign lesion when all three are negative.     

乳腺X线立体定位空芯针活检的临床应用

目的评价乳腺X线立体定位空芯针活检在乳腺疾病诊治中的价值.方法采用计算机辅助乳腺X线立体定位系统、弹射式自动活检枪和14-gauge的空芯针.结果对影像学诊断发现异常的71个病灶进行X线立体定位空芯针活检.对照手术或1年以上(13～45个月)的随访结果,该组的诊断特异性和敏感性分别为100％和92％.有73％的良性病灶经空芯针活检明确诊断后免除了手术活检.结论 X线立体定位空心针活检是用于乳腺X线发现的临床摸不到肿块的病灶的一种安全有效的微创活检方法,并使大量良性病变免除手术活检并节省了医疗开支.     

A case of occult contralateral breast cancer incidentally detected by contrast-enhanced mri; report of a case with review of literature

We encountered a case of occult contralateral breast cancer, previously undetected by conventional imaging such as mammography (MMG) and ultrasonography (US), but incidentally detected by contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (CE-MRI). We present it here with a review of the literature. A 67-year-old Japanese woman was referred to our hospital in October 2000 because of a 1.5 cm right breast lump detected in a medical checkup. MMG, US and fine needle aspiration cytology revealed a cancerous lesion during the right breast. No mass lesion was palpable nor was any detected by MMG or US in the left breast. Bilateral breast CE-MRI was performed for more detailed evaluation. Consequently, an occult contralateral breast cancerous lesion was detected incidentally by CE-MRI, with the images showing rapid initial enhancement of time to signal intensity curves. Before surgery, bilateral breast lesions were diagnosed as invasive ductal carcinoma by open biopsy. She underwent bilateral breast conserving surgery with bilateral axillary lymph node dissection. The postoperative course was uneventful and no recurrence has been noted as of January 18th, 2004. CE-MRI of the contralateral breast should be of value as a routine screen in those patients with a known or suspected malignancy in one breast considering the limits of breast cancer detection by such conventional modalities as MMG and US.     

Reducing delay in the diagnosis of pregnancy-associated breast cancer: how imaging can help us

Introduction: The evaluation of breast symptoms during pregnancy or lactation can be challenging but prompt, appropriate assessment of symptoms may lead to earlier cancer detection. Methods: A review of breast imaging from 22 women with breast cancer during or within 1 year of pregnancy was undertaken as part of a large population‐based study of gestational breast cancer. Consensus findings of three reads using the Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System lexicon were recorded. Results: The commonest presenting symptom was a lump. Diagnosis by percutaneous biopsy was made correctly in 21 of 23 lesions. Lesions were predominantly invasive ductal carcinoma (91%). One third had extensive associated ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS). Ultrasound (US) was abnormal in all symptomatic patients. The most common sonographic finding was a solitary hypoechoic mass with irregular margins. ‘Expanded stroma’ with prominent ducts and architectural distortion was noted in three cases; all had extensive high‐grade DCIS. In three women, bilateral breast US detected cancer in the asymptomatic breast. Mammography (performed in 86% of women) was abnormal in 74%, despite the presence of dense breast tissue in 47%. Widespread calcifications were visible in 26%, with detection of asymptomatic contra‐lateral disease in one patient. MRI was performed in six patients. Background parenchymal enhancement did not impair lesion detection; however, overestimation of lesion size can occur. Conclusions: Ultrasonography is recommended for the initial diagnosis of breast symptoms during pregnancy and lactation. A negative study should not delay direct fine needle aspiration of a palpable lesion. Mammography is indicated where initial assessment suggests malignancy. MRI may have a role in selected cases.     

Nodular fasciitis of the breast

Nodular fasciitis of the breast is a rare, benign, soft-tissue tumor that can clinically and radiologically mimic invasive ductal carcinoma. A 25-year-old woman presented with a palpable lesion in the lower inner aspect of the left breast. Radiologically, breast carcinoma could not be excluded. On examination of the core needle biopsy, the tumor was characterized histologically as a spindle cell tumor. Excisional biopsy was performed. The tumor was diagnosed as nodular fasciitis of the breast. The imaging and histological findings of this case are presented.     

Nodular fasciitis of the breast

Nodular fasciitis of the breast is a rare, benign, soft-tissue tumor that can clinically and radiologically mimic invasive ductal carcinoma. A 25-year-old woman presented with a palpable lesion in the lower inner aspect of the left breast. Radiologically, breast carcinoma could not be excluded. On examination of the core needle biopsy, the tumor was characterized histologically as a spindle cell tumor. Excisional biopsy was performed. The tumor was diagnosed as nodular fasciitis of the breast. The imaging and histological findings of this case are presented.     

Breast epithelium procurement from stereotactic core biopsy washings: flow cytometry-sorted cell count analysis.

PURPOSE: Molecular studies of breast lesions have been constrained by difficulties in procuring adequate tissues for analyses. Standard procedures are restricted to larger, palpable masses or the use of paraffin-embedded materials, precluding facile procurement of fresh specimens of early lesions. We describe a study to determine the yield and characteristics of sorted cell populations retrieved in core needle biopsy specimen rinses from a spectrum of breast lesions. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: Cells from 114 consecutive stereotactic core biopsies of mammographic lesions released into saline washes were submitted for flow cytometric analysis. For each specimen, epithelial cells were separated from stromal and blood tissue based on the presence of cytokeratin 8 and 18 markers. Epithelial cell yields based on pathological diagnoses of the biopsy specimen, patient age, and mammographic appearance of the lesion were determined. RESULTS: Biopsies containing malignant lesions yielded significantly higher numbers of cells than were obtained from benign lesion biopsies. Significantly greater cell counts were observed from lesions from women age 50 or above compared with those of younger women. Mammographic density surrounding the biopsy site, the mammographic appearance of the lesion, and the number of cores taken at the time of biopsy appeared to have little effect on the yield of epithelial cells. CONCLUSIONS: We demonstrate the use of flow cytometric sorting of stereotactic core needle biopsy washes from lesions spanning the spectrum of breast pathology to obtain epithelial cells in sufficient numbers to meet the requirements of a variety of molecular and genetic analyses.     

Core biopsy versus FNAC for palpable breast cancers. Is image guidance necessary?

The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy of free-hand percutaneous core biopsy (FHCB) and to determine the role of fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) as diagnostic tools for palpable radiologically-suspicious breast lumps. This retrospective study was based on reviewing the clinical records of all patients diagnosed as having breast cancer between January 1999 and December 2000 and patients who had benign lesions, but suspicious breast imaging at triple assessment. Absolute sensitivity of FHCB for diagnosing cancer in palpable lesions was 98.7% compared with 51.3% for FNAC. The difference in the sensitivity of FHCB and FNAC was statistically significant (P<0.005, Wilcoxon matched pair test). Since 94.8% of radiologically-suspicious lumps were shown to be cancers, we advocate FHCB for all patients presenting with radiologically suspicious palpable lumps to our breast clinic. We also conclude that the sensitivity of FHCB for the diagnosis of malignancy in palpable radiologically-suspicious breast lesions is so high that image-guidance is unnecessary.     

A case of mucinous carcinoma of the breast in which needle tract seeding was diagnosed by preoperative diagnostic imaging

Herein we report a 62-year-old woman with an excisable breast tumor in whom needle tract seeding was suspected during preoperative ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). A tumor of the right breast was observed during initial examination, and she was referred to our hospital after fine-needle aspiration cytology led to diagnosis of breast cancer, even though core needle biopsy results were negative. Mammography showed a high-density mass with a portion of the margin exhibiting very fine serrations. Ultrasonography revealed a circular mass with a border that was indistinct in some regions, and a hypoechoic band that extended from the tumor toward the skin. A mass was observed on MRI, with a linear enhancement extending on the skin side, and needle tract seeding was suspected. Fine-needle aspiration cytology revealed malignancy, and the histological appearance was consistent with mucinous carcinoma. T1cN0M0 stage I breast cancer was diagnosed, and wide excision and sentinel lymph node biopsy were performed. The skin directly above the tumor was concurrently excised to remove the biopsy puncture site. Histopathological diagnosis confirmed mucinous carcinoma, with the tumor observed to extend linearly into the subcutaneous adipose tissue in a pattern corresponding to the biopsy puncture site. The stump of the excised breast was negative for cancer cells. The possibility of tumor seeding must be considered during fine-needle aspiration cytology and biopsy. As demonstrated in this case, diagnosis of such seeding through preoperative imaging may enable extraction of the entire lesion, including the needle tract.     

Role of high speed biopsy gun in breast cancer diagnosis

Preoperative diagnosis of histology and receptor status is important in management of breast cancer. Percutaneous automated core biopsy with biopsy gun (Gun biopsy) was done in fifty patients with palpable breast lump in whom fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) was either negative or not done In all patients adequate tissue for histology and receptor status studies was obtained forty-two patients had infiltrating duct carcinoma and eight patients had benign lesions on gun biopsy. There were no complications in this procedure. Twenty of the forty-two patients underwent mastectomy either per primum or after chemotherapy, had the diagnosis substantiated on histopathological examination Thirty-four samples were examined for receptor status and the specimen was found to be adequate and of good quality. We conclude that gun biopsy is a simple and safe procedure which is more sensitive and specific than FNAC.     

Diabetic Mastopathy: A Case Report and Literature Review

Diabetic mastopathy is a rare fibroinflammatory breast disease characterized by lymphocytic lobulitis, ductitis, and perivasculitis with stromal fibrosis. This lesion often presents as a discretely palpable uni- or bilateral mass in long-standing type I diabetes and other autoimmune diseases. We report a case of insulin-dependent diabetic mastopathy, which presented clinically as an indeterminate breast lump suspicious for malignancy. The patient is a 36-year-old woman who had type 1 insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. Mammography and ultrasonography raised a suspicion of malignancy, and an excisional biopsy was performed. A previous biopsy had shown no evidence of malignancy. Histopathological examination now showed dense keloid-like stromal fibrosis with epithelioid-like and spindly myofibroblasts and a characteristic lymphocytic infiltration around blood vessels in and around lobules and ducts, features consistent with diabetic mastopathy. The literature is briefly reviewed.Key Words: Diabetic mastopathy, Insulin-dependent, Breast cancer, Pseudomalignancy     

Enhanced detection of preinvasive breast cancer: combined role of mammography and needle localization biopsy

Several recent reports have described an increase in the incidence of preinvasive carcinoma of the breast. To determine the incidence of preinvasive breast cancer at our institution, the results of 469 consecutive outpatient breast biopsies performed at Walter Reed Army Medical Center between July 1, 1985, and January 1, 1987, were reviewed. During this time period, 256 biopsies were performed on palpable masses, and 213 needle localization biopsies were performed on mammographically suspicious lesions. The overall incidence of cancer was 15.4%. Needle localization biopsies yielded a diagnosis of cancer in 17.8% of cases, as did 13.3% of biopsies performed on palpable masses. Eight of 38 (21.1%) carcinomas identified by mammography were preinvasive at the time of diagnosis. Only one of 34 (2.9%) cancers identified because of a breast mass was preinvasive. We conclude that screening mammography is an invaluable tool for the detection of preinvasive carcinoma of the breast and that the increased use of mammography will result in an increase in the incidence of detection of this lesion.     

Epidermal inclusion cyst of the breast

Epidermal inclusion cysts are uncommon in the breast, but the consequences can be severe when these cysts occur in the breast parenchyma. Here, we report two such cases. The patient in case 1 was an 85-year-old woman with a 3-cm palpable mass in the right breast. Mammography revealed a round and smoothly outlined mass, which indicated a benign tumor, and sonography showed an irregularly shaped and heterogeneous hypoechoic mass. Breast cancer was suspected on the basis of the sonographic findings and the age of the patient, but excisional biopsy revealed an epidermal inclusion cyst. The patient in case 2 was a 45-year-old woman with a 9-cm lesion in the left breast. Mammography revealed a round, dense, smoothly outlined mass, and sonography showed a well-defined, central hyperechoic mass. A phyllodes tumor or a giant fibroadenoma was suspected on the basis of clinical and imaging findings, but the resected specimen revealed an epidermal inclusion cyst.