Ultrasound features of retroareolar breast carcinoma

Abstract

Purpose: The goal of this study was to report the ultrasound features of retroareolar breast carcinoma (RABC).

Materials and methods: The ultrasound examinations of the breast of 53 women with RABC were reviewed. They had a mean age of 67.2 years±13.4 (standard deviation [SD]) (range: 46-85 years). RABC were defined as carcinomas located less than 2cm from the nipple on mammogram.

Results: Among the 53 RABC, 42 (42/53; 79%) were invasive ductal carcinomas, 6 (6/53; 11%) were invasive lobular carcinomas, 4 (4/53; 8%) were ductal carcinomas in situ and 1 (1/53; 2%) was intracystic papillary carcinoma. The mean size of RABCs was 22.5mm±8.2 (SD) (range: 7.2-54.8mm). RABCs presented as a mass (53/53; 100%) with an irregular shape (44/53; 83%), a non-parallel orientation (37/53; 70%), non-circumscribed margins (50/53; 94%), a hypoechoic echotexture (46/53; 87%,) posterior attenuation (45/53; 85%) and increased vascularity (37/53; 70%) on Doppler ultrasound.

Conclusion: On ultrasound, RABC have a presentation similar to that of breast carcinoma in other locations.

Keywords: Breast carcinoma; Breast imaging; Nipple areolar complex; Retroareolar carcinomas; Ultrasound.