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. 2019 Jul-Aug;61(4):324-332.
doi: 10.1016/j.rx.2019.02.004. Epub 2019 Apr 10.

Metastases to the breast, an uncommon diagnosis: what do radiologists need to know?

[Article in English, Spanish]
K Pesce  1 , M J Chico  2 , J Sanabria Delgado  3 , A C Zabala Sierra  3 , C Hadad  2 , A Wernicke  4
Affiliations
Free article

Metastases to the breast, an uncommon diagnosis: what do radiologists need to know?

[Article in English, Spanish]
K Pesce et al. Radiologia (Engl Ed). 2019 Jul-Aug.
Free article

Abstract

Objective: To analyze the imaging characteristics of histologically diagnosed metastases to the breast.

Material and methods: We selected patients histologically diagnosed with metastases to the breast in our diagnostic and interventional breast imaging unit between March 2010 and September 2018.

Results: A total of 9 patients (all women; mean age, 60 y; age range, 28-89 y) were diagnosed with metastases to the breast. In 1 (11.11%) case, the primary disease was diagnosed from the breast lesion. The primary tumors were melanoma (n=5), neuroendocrine tumor (n=2, one from the small bowel and one from the cervix), lung adenocarcinoma (n=1), and ovarian cancer (n=1). The clinical and imaging manifestations depend on the type of dissemination of disease and can simulate benign and malignant primary breast lesions.

Conclusion: There is no specific imaging pattern for metastases to the breast that would help to orient the diagnosis. It is important to consider this etiological possibility if the patient has a history of a primary tumor in another organ.

Keywords: Hallazgos ecográficos; Hallazgos mamográficos; Images; Imágenes; Mammography findings; Metastases to the breast; Metástasis en la mama; Ultrasound findings.

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