A better understanding of the term radial scar

BACKGROUND: Radial scar is a breast lesion with mammographic and histologic features similar to carcinoma. We reviewed the characteristics of patients with radial scars to better understand these lesions and to determine the incidence of associated carcinoma. METHODS: Records for all patients undergoing diagnostic wire localized excisional breast biopsy from January 1993 to September 1999 were reviewed to identify those with histologic or mammographic evidence of radial scar. Clinical records, mammograms, and pathologic slides of these patients were reviewed. RESULTS: We identified 45 cases of radial scar: 10 patients had mammographic and histologic evidence of radial scar (group I), 29 only mammographic evidence (group II), and 6 only histologic evidence (group III). Breast cancer risk was similar in the three patient groups. Carcinoma was identified in 18 patients with mammographic radial scars. CONCLUSION: Mammographically detected radial scars were associated with carcinoma in 18 of 39 (46%) cases. Histologically identified radial scars are not associated with malignancy and should not be confused with mammographically identified lesions.     

The role of mammography in detecting breast cancer in augmented breasts

Recent reports suggest that mammographic findings may be compromised in patients who have undergone augmentation mammoplasty. Therefore, early detection of breast cancer by mammography may be obscured. We reviewed records for our patients with breast cancer after augmentation mammoplasty to define further the role and accuracy of mammography. Six patients aged 34 to 52 years (mean, 42 years) had a diagnosis of breast carcinoma 4 to 14 years (mean, 7.2 years) after augmentation mammoplasty. Five patients had preoperative mammographic examinations. Suspicious lesions were seen in 4 patients, and microcalcifications were identified in the fifth. The sixth patient had a normal xeromammogram. Pathological diagnosis was infiltrating ductal carcinoma in 5 patients and intraductal carcinoma in 1. Findings for lymph nodes were negative in 3 patients; 2 others had positive findings in one lymph node, and 1 had positive results in four lymph nodes. Five patients had a suspicious mass that was palpated on self-examination or by the patient's plastic surgeon, and the sixth patient had a routine screening mammogram. Two of 3 patients with positive lymph nodes received adjuvant chemotherapy. This report confirms the role of mammography as a screening tool in making the diagnosis of breast cancer in women who have undergone augmentation mammoplasty. The importance of self-examination and follow-up by the plastic surgeon is stressed. The data suggest that mammography remains an accurate method for detecting breast lesions.     

Ultrasound findings in pure invasive lobular carcinoma of the breast: comparison with matched cases of invasive ductal carcinoma of the breast

Pure invasive lobular carcinoma is more difficult to diagnose clinically and mammographically than other invasive breast carcinomas. Our objective was to document the ultrasound appearances of pure invasive lobular carcinoma, to determine whether there were any specific features when compared to similar cases of invasive ductal carcinoma, and to compare the sensitivity of ultrasound with mammography in the diagnosis of invasive lobular carcinoma. We report on 23 cases of invasive lobular carcinoma who were matched for age and presentation with cases of invasive ductal carcinoma. High frequency ultrasound detected lesions in 22 cases of invasive lobular carcinoma and all had features highly suggestive of malignancy. Twenty-one of 23 cases of invasive ductal carcinoma also had malignant features. At mammography, six cases of invasive lobular carcinoma were not detected. Ultrasound is as specific for identifying invasive lobular carcinoma as it is for invasive ductal carcinoma. Ultrasound was more sensitive than mammography for diagnosing invasive lobular carcinoma.     

Breast carcinoma in situ. A retrospective review of 112 cases with a minimum 10 year follow-up

We have retrospectively reviewed 112 cases of in situ carcinoma of the breast treated between 1960 to 1972, with a minimum 10 year follow-up to correlate treatment with outcome. We concluded that bilateral simple mastectomy with low axillary dissection is the treatment of choice for intraductal or lobular carcinoma in situ. This conclusion was based on the early age at diagnosis, the high incidence of bilaterality, and the long latency and probable progression from the in situ stage to the invasive stage. Lesser procedures can be endorsed for those patients of advanced age or who have associated medical problems whose life expectancy is estimated to be 10 years or less. Patients who refuse bilateral mastectomy should undergo biopsy of the involved or opposite breast at 3 to 5 year intervals regardless of physical findings or mammographic suspicions, especially when severe epithelial dysplasia is encountered in the biopsy specimens. This nonpalpable but potentially curable lesion remains difficult to detect even by mammography.     

自体脂肪颗粒注射隆乳术后X线钼靶表现

目的:探讨自体脂肪颗粒注射隆乳术后脂肪坏死的X线表现。方法:回顾性分析20例行自体脂肪颗粒注射隆乳术女性患者的X线钼靶片的异常表现。结果:20例患者共40侧乳房,最多见的表现为典型的有纤维包膜的脂性囊肿(25/40);其次为伴有包膜钙化的脂性囊肿(22/40);乳内条带状异常分布的低密度脂肪团块(13/40);胸大肌内条状低密度影(11/40);乳内粗、圆、不规则钙化灶(8/40);脂性囊肿周围晕征(6/40)。结论:自体脂肪颗粒注射隆乳术后X线钼靶表现具有多样性,正确认识其X线表现,可以减少误诊的发生。     

Tubular carcinoma of the breast. Predicting axillary nodal metastases and recurrence.

BACKGROUND: Tubular carcinoma of the breast, a well-differentiated variant of infiltrating ductal carcinoma, has been regarded as a very favorable histologic subtype. The infrequency of nodal metastases and low recurrence rates have led to questions about the value of axillary dissection. OBJECTIVE: The authors evaluated the frequency of axillary nodal metastases, the prognostic value of histologic features of the primary tumor, and treatment outcome in patients with tubular carcinoma of the breast. METHODS: This retrospective analysis evaluated 50 patients who received diagnoses of tubular carcinoma from The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center between 1944 and 1992. Medical records were reviewed for information about the patient, the tumor, treatment, and outcome. Hematoxylin-eosin stained sections were reviewed to confirm the diagnosis and assess histologic features. RESULTS: The median tumor diameter was 1.0 cm. Nine (20%) of 44 axilla had histologically confirmed lymph node involvement. Lymph node involvement was neither infrequent nor predicted by features of the primary tumor. Recurrences developed in 4 patients, and 1 patient died of tubular carcinoma. The 5-year disease-free survival rate was 88%. The local therapy used, mastectomy or breast preservation, did not affect disease-free survival. Contralateral cancer was noted in 26% of the patients. CONCLUSIONS: Axillary metastases occur in 20% of patients and are not predicted by features of the primary tumor. Breast preservation is a safe treatment option for tubular carcinoma of the breast.     

Management of patients with intermediate (C3) cytology and a solitary breast lump

The records of all patients who had a C3 result on fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) over a 3-year period were reviewed. Clinical and mammographic findings at presentation were correlated with histopathological diagnosis. Of 43 patients, 32 patients underwent excision biopsy. Histology was benign in 25 patients, eight patients had an invasive breast carcinoma, two a phyllodes tumour and one had widespread ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS). All but two of the patients with invasive tumours had abnormalities on clinical examination or imaging. In two patients there was no clinical or mammographic suspicion of malignancy. A C3 breast cytology result must be taken seriously as it is frequently an indicator of underlying malignancy. These results suggest that definite histology should be obtained in all patients because of the unacceptably high false-negative rate of clinical and radiological assessment in this group.     

The important role of operations in the management of anaplastic thyroid carcinoma

BACKGROUND: Anaplastic thyroid carcinoma is a rare and highly lethal neoplasm. We investigated whether operations have an impact on the survival of patients who have anaplastic carcinoma without distant metastasis. METHODS: Between 1989 and 1999, 40 consecutive patients with anaplastic carcinoma, without distant metastasis at the time of presentation or during local treatment, were reviewed. The cumulative survival rates and 1-year survival rates were compared. RESULTS: Eleven patients had a small focus of anaplastic carcinoma in a differentiated carcinoma, and 29 patients had ordinary anaplastic thyroid carcinoma. Surgical debulking was performed in 26 patients. Radiotherapy was used for 31 patients and chemotherapy for 19 patients. The 1-year survival rates of the patients with incidental anaplastic carcinoma, ordinary anaplastic carcinoma who underwent operations, and ordinary anaplastic carcinoma who did not undergo operations were 73%, 60%, and 21%, respectively. A significantly higher cumulative survival rate was observed in patients with incidental anaplastic carcinoma than in those with ordinary anaplastic carcinoma. A significantly better outcome was obtained by surgical debulking of ordinary anaplastic carcinoma. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with incidental anaplastic carcinoma tended to have a good outcome, but some had a poor prognosis. Surgical debulking improved the outcome of patients with ordinary anaplastic carcinoma.     

Breast Cancer After Augmentation Mammoplasty

Background:It is thought that implants interfere with breast cancer diagnosis and that cancers in women who have had breast augmentation carry a worse prognosis.Methods:A prospective breast cancer database was reviewed, comparing augmented and nonaugmented patients for details of histology, palpability, tumor size, nodal status, mammographic status, receptor status, nuclear grade, stage, and outcome.Results:Ninety-nine cancers in augmented women and 2857 cancers in nonaugmented women were identified. Among these women, mammography was normal in 43% of those who had had augmentation and in 5% of those who had not. Augmented women were more likely to have palpable cancers (83% vs. 59%) and nodal involvement (48% vs. 36%), and less likely to have ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) (18% vs. 28%). When comparing only women younger than 50, the differences in invasiveness and nodal status lost significance. Cancers diagnosed in the 1990s were more likely to be nonpalpable and noninvasive than those diagnosed in the 1980s. This trend was more pronounced in the augmented population.Conclusions:Augmented patients were more likely to have palpable cancers, although the overall stage and outcome were similar to those of nonaugmented women. Although there have been significant improvements in our ability to diagnose early breast cancer over the past two decades, mammography continues to be suboptimal in augmented women.Presented at the 53rd Annual Meeting of the Society of Surgical Oncology, New Orleans, Louisiana, March 16-19, 2000     

Invasive mammary carcinoma after immediate and short-term follow-up for lobular neoplasia on core biopsy

Lobular neoplasia (LN), including atypical lobular hyperplasia (ALH) and lobular carcinoma in situ, may be encountered in breast core biopsies performed for mammographic abnormalities even though LN is often not, in itself, responsible for the abnormal mammogram. The need for surgical excision following a diagnosis of LN on core biopsy is not well defined. We examined pathologic and mammographic findings in a consecutive series of cases diagnosed as LN to address this issue. Radiology/pathology records were reviewed for cases with a pathology diagnosis of pure LN during the period 1998-2001. Specifically excluded were cases with associated atypical ductal hyperplasia, ductal carcinoma in situ, invasive mammary carcinoma, or any history of breast malignancy. Thirty-five women 39-76 years of age (mean 52 years) were identified. Specimens were obtained as stereotactic core (31) or limited wire-guided biopsy (four). The diagnoses were lobular carcinoma in situ (12), lobular carcinoma in situ/ALH (10), and ALH (13). Fourteen patients did not undergo excisional biopsy and had no subsequent clinical follow-up to warrant additional biopsy (follow-up 6 months to 3 years). Five patients had no immediate excision, but eventually during clinical follow-up for LN (1 month to 3 years), two developed mammographic lesions in the ipsilateral (one patient) or contralateral breast (one patient) that led to diagnoses of invasive mammary carcinoma (lobular and composite ductal-lobular types, 10 and 8 mm, respectively); three patients had subsequent mammographic findings in the ipsilateral or contralateral breast leading to biopsies showing only LN (two patients) or no neoplastic pathology (one patient). The remaining 16 patients (all core biopsied) underwent immediate wire-guided excisions. Thirteen (81%) showed additional foci of LN, one (6.3%) with atypical ductal hyperplasia, and two (12.5%) with invasive lobular carcinoma (3 mm and <1 mm). Three (19%) had no residual disease; however, additional clinical follow-up in one of these patients revealed an invasive mammary carcinoma in the contralateral breast (false-negative mammography). Radiographic findings were calcifications and density/mass lesions in 27 and 8 cases, respectively. Of 27 cases presenting with Ca, 10 showed colocalization of LN and Ca. In the eight cases presenting with density/mass, incidental microscopic microcalcifications colocalized to LN were found in two cases. When present, histologic Ca was associated with LN in 12 of 29 cases studied (41%). Of the 21 patients with immediate or subsequent excision, five (24%) were found to have an associated invasive mammary carcinoma (two on immediate excision and three after short-term follow-up of up to 3 years). The bilaterality of cancer risk was expected; however, the number of invasive carcinomas was not. That the invasive carcinomas detected at follow-up were small implies that they might have been present (but occult) at initial presentation. We conclude that lobular carcinoma in situ detected on core biopsy is potentially a significant marker for concurrent and near-term breast pathology requiring complete intensive multidisciplinary clinical follow-up with specific individualization of patient care.     

Selective nonoperative management of patients referred with abnormal mammograms

Screening mammography provides a means of detecting clinically occult breast carcinoma, but the question of whether all abnormal mammograms require biopsy remains unanswered. We retrospectively reviewed records of 214 women referred over an 8-year period for abnormal mammograms. They were selectively assigned to biopsy or mammographic follow-up based on specific mammographic criteria. Of 114 women initially observed mammographically, 2 were later found by biopsy to have carcinoma. Initial assignment to mammographic observation delayed the recommendation for biopsy 3 and 12 months, respectively, in these patients, but no effect on outcome was documented. Because they have benign lesions by clinical and mammographic criteria, 102 women (53%) have been spared biopsy; they continue to be monitored closely. We believe these data support the use of a selective approach to biopsy based on specific mammographic criteria.     

All pure flat atypical atypia lesions of the breast diagnosed using percutaneous vacuum-assisted breast biopsy do not need surgical excision

BackgroundThe purposes of this study were to evaluate the outcome of women with pure flat atypical atypia (FEA) diagnosed at vacuum-assisted breast biopsy (VABB) targeting microcalcifications and to determine whether clinical, radiological and pathologic parameters are able to predict which lesions will be upgraded to malignancy.Materials2414 cases of consecutive VABB for microcalcifications using VA 8-, 10- or 11-Gauge stereotactically guided core biopsy performed between January 2005 and December 2011 from two french breast cancer centers were evaluated. Data of women with VABB-diagnosed pure FEA who underwent either excisional surgery or mammographic follow-up were analyzed. Cases with mass lesions or ipsilateral cancers were excluded. Two pathologists (FA,PM) reviewed the results of procedures performed. Clinical, radiological, as well as histological criteria have been studied in order to determine the correlation between these factors and carcinoma underestimation.Results and conclusionThis study included 70 cases of pure FEA. Twenty women underwent surgical excision and 50 had clinical and mammographic surveillance only. In three women FEA was upgraded to breast cancer on excision. Clinical and mammographic follow-up for a mean of 56 months ± 27 in the group without excision showed two cancers in the same breast (Intermediate grade DCIS, and invasive ductal carcinoma 84 and 48 months respectively after VABB). Three factors were significantly predictive of underestimation or occurence of cancer for pure FEA when the radiologic lesions are calcifications: age≥ 57 years, radiologic size >10 mm and number of FEA foci ≥4.     

Advanced breast biopsy instrumentation (ABBI) and management of nonpalpable breast abnormalities: a community hospital experience

A range of diagnostic techniques have been in use for determining the nature of non-palpable mammographic abnormalities over the last decade, these include stereotactic and ultrasound guided cytology, core biopsy and vacuum assisted core biopsy techniques as well as open surgical breast biopsy. Recently, a less invasive alternative has been investigated; the Advanced Breast Biopsy Instrumentation (ABBI) technique (U.S. Surgical Corporation, Norwalk, CT). ABBI employs computer-guided stereotactic localization to target and excise mammographic lesions under local anesthesia, without the need for an operating theatre. We conducted a prospective review of all cases involving the use of the ABBI system during the first 17 months' of its use in a community hospital. One hundred and twenty six patients were referred for an ABBI procedure. One hundred fourteen ABBI procedures were performed on 113 patients (average age, 53 years; range, 33-82). The lesion was removed successfully in 113 of the 114 cases. Of the 114 lesions removed with the ABBI system, 88 were microcalcifications and 26 were masses. Cancer was diagnosed in 21 patients (18%). Of the patients who had carcinoma, 11 (52%) had ductal carcinoma in situ, 9 (43%) had infiltrating ductal carcinoma, and 1 (5%) had infiltrating lobular carcinoma. Postprocedural complications occurred in 7 patients (6%); 4 had small haematomas, 2 had superficial wound infections, and 1 had an abscess. We conclude that the ABBI system, is an excellent alternative (to open biopsy after needle localization or large-core biopsy) for nonpalpable breast abnormalities. It has a relatively low complication rate and should be considered as part of the surgical armamentarium for the diagnosis of indeterminate nonpalpable mammographic lesions.     

Lobular carcinoma in situ: Observation without surgery as an appropriate therapy

Background: The finding of lobular carcinoma in situ (LCIS) in the breast has generally prompted treatment with unilateral or bilateral mastectomy. Most experts now feel that LCIS simply identifies a woman who is at high risk to develop future breast cancer and requires only close clinical and mammographic follow-up. This approach has been recommended at our institution for >15 years. This study defines the natural history of a population of women with LCIS who were treated by observation alone. Methods: Women with a pathologic diagnosis of LCIS were identified by tumor registry search. Records and pathology were reviewed. Radiographic-pathologic correlation was performed on women who had undergone mammographic-localized breast biopsies. One hundred forty-nine women with LCIS were identified. Eighty four were excluded from analysis because of synchronous invasive cancer or ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS). The remaining 65 women formed the basis of this report. Results: Sixty-five women with LCIS were treated from 1963 through 1990. Median follow-up was 83 months. No women were lost to follow-up. Median age at diagnosis was 48 years (range 37–81), and 32% had a family history of breast cancer. Clinical findings leading to biopsy were breast mass in 43, nipple discharge in three, and mammographic abnormality in 19. Mammographic-pathologic correlation showed that the focus of LCIS in these 19 women was not associated with the mammographic abnormality. Fourteen of 65 women underwent mastectomy after diagnosis of LCIS (nine ipsilateral, five bilateral). Fifty-one of 65 women elected observation alone. In the observation group, 13 of 51 women (25%) underwent a second breast biopsy for a clinical or mammographic abnormality during the follow-up period. The median interval to biopsy was 50 months. Pathology was benign in two, LCIS in seven, DCIS in one, and invasive cancer in three. All seven women with LCIS on subsequent biopsy continued with observation and none developed breast cancer. All four cancers were detected by mammography without an associated palpable mass. Three of four cancer masses were <1 cm in diameter. The woman with DCIS was 47 years of age and developed DCIS 106 months after LCIS diagnosis. She was treated by total mastectomy and is disease free 108 months later. The three women with invasive cancer developed this at 41, 53, and 69 months after diagnosis of LCIS. All were <50 years of age. All three cancers were in the same breast as the previous LCIS. Two women were treated by modified radical mastectomy, and the third had wide excision/axillary dissection followed by radiation therapy. They are alive and disease-free at 16, 82, and 116 months. Conclusions: Four of 51 women treated with observation alone after diagnosis of LCIS developed breast cancer. All were detected by screening at an early stage. LCIS appeared to be an incidental finding on biopsy of mammographic abnormalities. The policy of observation alone for the finding of LCIS spares women mastectomy. Furthermore, cancers that develop in follow-up are likely to be detected at an early stage and be amenable to curative therapy. Observation alone is appropriate treatment for women with LCIS. Presented at the 46th Annual Cancer Symposium of the Society of Surgical Oncology. Los Angeles, California, March 18–21, 1993.     

Experience of stereotactic breast biopsy using the vacuum-assisted core needle biopsy device and the advanced breast biopsy instrumentation system in Hong Kong women

BACKGROUND: Stereotactic breast biopsy of non-palpable lesions using the vacuum-assisted core needle biopsy (CNB) device and the large core excision biopsy system is a reliable biopsy method when compared with open biopsy. Its use in Western countries is well accepted. This study aimed to assess the feasibility and results of using these systems to perform stereotactic biopsy in Asian women. METHODS: A total of 114 patients with non-palpable mammographic lesions underwent stereotactic breast biopsy using the vacuum-assisted CNB device and the large core excision biopsy system between November 1999 and December 2002. The indications for biopsy were mammographic abnormalities considered indeterminate or suspicious that were not palpable or visible on ultrasound. The methods adopted for biopsy in Asian women were reviewed and the results including the final pathology, complications, scarring and acceptance by patients were recorded. RESULTS: Stereotactic breast biopsy was performed using the vacuum-assisted CNB device in 107 patients and the large core excision biopsy system in seven patients. Of those who underwent biopsy using the vacuum-assisted CNB device, 15 (14%) had moderate to severe bleeding during the procedure and seven (6.5%) had severe bruising afterwards. Carcinoma was detected in 31 of the 114 patients (27.2%). CONCLUSION: Although Asian women in general have smaller and denser breasts than their Western counterparts, stereotactic breast biopsy using the vacuum-assisted CNB device and the large core excision biopsy system was feasible with modification of the individual steps during the procedure. Our results are comparable with those published previously and the procedure was well accepted by patients.     

Outcome of men presenting with clinical breast problems: the role of mammography and ultrasound

The purpose of this study was to determine the outcome of men presenting with clinical breast problems for breast imaging and to evaluate the role of mammography and ultrasound in the diagnosis of benign and malignant breast problems. We retrospectively reviewed clinical, radiographic, and pathologic records of 165 consecutive symptomatic men presenting to Breast Imaging over a 4 year period. We assessed the clinical indication for referral, mammographic findings, sonographic findings, histologic results, and clinical outcomes. Patients ranged in age from 22 to 96 years. Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System (BI-RADS) category 4 and 5 mammograms and solid sonographic masses were considered suspicious for malignancy. Six of 165 men (4%) had primary breast carcinoma, which were mammographically suspicious in all 6 (100%). Five were invasive ductal carcinoma and one was ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS). Of 164 mammograms, 20 (12%) were suspicious. Six were cancer and 14 were benign. Clinical follow-up for 2 years or biopsy results were available for 138 of the 165 men (84%). Twelve with benign mammographic findings had benign biopsies. All men with benign mammography not undergoing biopsy were cancer free. Sensitivity for cancer detection (mammography) was 100% and specificity was 90%. Positive predictive value (mammography) was 32% (6 of 19) and the negative predictive value was 100%. Sonography was performed in 68 of the 165 men (41%). Three of three cancers (100%) were solid sonographic masses. There were 9 of 68 false-positive examinations (13%). Sensitivity and negative predictive value for cancer detection (ultrasound) was 100% and specificity was 74%. The most common clinical indication for referral was mass/thickening (56%). Mammography had excellent sensitivity and specificity for breast cancer detection and should be included as the initial imaging examination of men with clinical breast problems. The negative predictive value of 100% for mammography suggests that mammograms read as normal or negative need no further examination if the clinical findings are not suspicious. A normal ultrasound in these men confirms the negative predictive value of a normal mammogram.     

Synchronous elective contralateral mastectomy and immediate bilateral breast reconstruction in women with early-stage breast cancer

Background: The role of elective contralateral mastectomy (ECM) in women with early-stage breast cancer who elect or require an ipsilateral mastectomy and desire immediate bilateral breast reconstruction (IBR) is an intellectual and emotional dilemma for both patient and physician. In an attempt to clarify the rationale for this approach, we reviewed our experience with ECM and IBR and evaluated operative morbidity, the incidence of occult contralateral breast cancer, and patterns of recurrence. Patients and Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the records of 155 patients with primary unilateral breast cancer (stage 0, I, or II) and negative findings on physical and mammographic examinations of the contralateral breast who underwent ipsilateral mastectomy and simultaneous ECM with IBR between 1987 and 1995. Results: The median age of the patients was 46 years (range, 25 to 69 years). Clinical stage at diagnosis was stage 0, I, and II in 19.4%, 54.2%, and 26.4% of patients, respectively. Factors likely to influence the use of ECM were family history of breast cancer in first-degree relatives (30%), any family history of breast cancer (56%), difficulty anticipated in contralateral breast surveillance (48%), associated lobular carcinoma in situ (23%), multicentric primary tumor (28%), significant reconstructive issues (14%), and failure of mammographic identification of the primary tumor (16%). Skin-sparing mastectomies were performed in 81% of patients. Overall, 70% of patients underwent reconstruction using autogenous tissue transfer. Reoperations for suspected anastomotic thrombosis were performed in seven patients. Two patients experienced significant partial or complete flap loss. Histopathologic findings in the ECM specimen were as follows: benign, 80% of patients; atypical ductal hyperplasia, 12% of patients; lobular carcinoma in situ, 6.5% of patients; ductal carcinoma in situ, 2.7% of patients; and invasive carcinoma, 1.3% of patients. Eighteen patients (12%) had evidence of locoregional or distant recurrences, with a median follow-up of 3 years. In one patient (0.6%), invasive ductal carcinoma developed on the side of the elective mastectomy. Conclusions: The use of ECM and IBR cannot be justified if the only oncologic criterion considered is the incidence of occult synchronous contralateral disease. However, in a highly selected population of young patients with a difficult clinical or mammographic examination and an increased lifetime risk of developing a second primary tumor, ECM and IBR is a safe approach. Presented at the 50th Annual Meeting of the Society of Surgical Oncology, Chicago, Illinois, March 1997.     

Granulomatous Lobular Mastitis: A Complex Diagnostic and Therapeutic Problem

Background Granulomatous lobular mastitis is a rare chronic inflammatory disease of the breast. Clinical and radiological features may mimic breast carcinoma. Since this entity was first described, several clinical and pathologic features of the disease have been reported, but diagnostic features and treatment alternatives are still unclear. The purpose of this study is to evaluate diagnostic difficulties and discuss the outcome of surgical treatment in a series of 21 patients with granulomatous lobular mastitis. Methods A retrospective review of 21 patients with histologically confirmed granulomatous lobular mastitis treated in our center between January 1995 and May 2005 was analyzed to identify issues in the diagnosis and treatment of this rare condition. Results The most common presenting symptoms were a mass in the breast and pain. Four patients had no significant mammographic findings (MMG), but on ultrasound (US), 2 had irregular hypoechoic mass, and 2 hypoechoic nodular structures had abnormalities—one parenchymal distortion and 1 mass formation in 2 of these 4 patients’ magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). In recurrent cases, limited excision under local anesthesia was performed, as the clinical examination suggested carcinoma. Conclusions Although some findings on MMG and US are suggestive of benign breast disease, these modalities do not rule out malignancy. MRI may be helpful in patients who do not have significant pathology at MMG or US. Fine-needle aspiration cytology may be useful in some cases but diagnosis is potentially difficult because of its cytologic characteristics. Wide excision, particularly under general anesthesia, can be therapeutic as well as useful in providing an exact diagnosis.     

The significance of malignancies incidental to microcalcifications in breast spot localization biopsy specimens

BACKGROUND: Incidental breast cancer is occasionally found in spot localization biopsy specimens adjacent to mirocalcifications in benign breast disease. Because this phenomenon could prove problematic for percutaneous sampling of microcalcifications without excisional biopsy, we studied surgical specimens from patients with cancers incidental to microcalcifications and compared them with specimens with microcalcifications within the malignancy. METHODS: The pathology database at the Mount Sinai Medical Center from January 1993 to July 1998 was reviewed to identify breast cancer patients who underwent spot localization biopsy for microcalcifications. Patients presenting with microcalcifications within malignancy (determinate) were compared with patients with mirocalcifications in benign breast tissue adjacent to malignancy (incidental). RESULTS: Thirty-two (13%) of the 241 specimens had microcalcifications in benign tissue adjacent to malignancy and 209 (87%) had microcalcifications within the malignancy. Fifty-six percent of the incidental cases and 65% of the controls had ductal carcinoma in situ. Infiltrating lobular carcinoma accounted for 25% of the incidental cancers and 2% of the determinate cancers (P <0.001). Fifty-seven percent of the infiltrating carcinomas incidental to mammographic findings were infiltrating lobular carcinoma compared with 7% of the nonincidental infiltrating carcinomas. None of the incidental invasive carcinomas were poorly differentiated (P = 0.002). There were no significant differences with regard to age, tumor size, stage, differentiation, estrogen and progesterone receptors, type of surgery and final margin status. In none of the patients with incidental malignancies did local or distant recurrences develop. CONCLUSIONS: Incidental carcinomas were found in 13% of spot localization biopsy specimens obtained for suspicious mammographic microcalcifications and have a favorable prognosis. Infiltrating lobular carcinomas are more commonly found with incidental microcalcifications than with determinate microcalcifications, and incidental invasive carcinomas are less likely to be poorly differentiated. The majority of malignancies, both determinate and incidental to microcalcifications, are due to ductal carcinoma in situ. Incidental malignancies commonly occur adjacent to fibrocystic changes and their other pathologic characteristics are not significantly different from nonincidental carcinomas. Despite the absence of radiographic findings, these patients can be successfully treated with breast conservation.     

Clinicopathological characteristics of signet ring cell carcinoma of the stomach

BACKGROUND: Signet ring cell (SRC) carcinoma of the stomach is characterized by its poor prognosis and potential to infiltrate the wall of stomach, although survival studies comparing carcinomas with and without SRC features have yielded inconsistent results. This study compared the clinicopathological features and prognosis of patients with SRC carcinoma with those with non-signet ring cell carcinoma of the stomach (NSRC). METHODS: We reviewed the records of 2358 patients diagnosed with gastric carcinoma who were treated surgically between January 1980 and December 1999 at the Department of Surgery, Chonnam National University Hospital. There were 204 patients (8.7%) with SRC carcinoma as compared to 2154 with NSRC. RESULTS: Significant differences were noted in the mean patient age, mean tumour size, depth of invasion, prevalence of hepatic and regional lymph node metastases, tumour stage, and curability between the patients with SRC histology and NSRC. There were no statistically significant differences in patient gender, location, or peritoneal dissemination between patients with SRC carcinoma and NSRC. SRC carcinoma of the stomach had a higher prevalence of early gastric carcinoma (46.1%) than NSRC (21.7%). The overall 5-year survival of all the patients with SRC carcinoma was 60.2% as compared with 48.9% for the patients with NSRC (P < 0.01). Using Cox proportional hazards model, lymph node metastasis and curability were significant factors affecting the outcome. Signet ring cell histology itself was not an independent prognostic factor. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with SRC histology do not have a worse prognosis than patients with other types of gastric carcinoma.