08 January 2019 : Clinical Research
A Retrospective Study of the Imaging and Pathological Features of Metaplastic Breast Carcinoma and Review of the Literature
Yu Jia1AC, Cuiju He2AB*, Linan Liu3BF, Lili Sun3BD, Yanwei Chen2BC, Yahong Luo2CDF, Tao Yu2CEDOI: 10.12659/MSM.912107
Med Sci Monit 2019; 25:248-258
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Metaplastic breast cancer (MBC) is a rare type of breast cancer, characterized histologically by the presence of two or more malignant cell types (epithelial and mesenchymal). This retrospective study aimed to review the imaging and histological features of MBC, with a review of the literature.
MATERIAL AND METHODS: Nineteen patients with MBC (age range, 28–75 years; mean, 55 years) underwent review of their clinical records, histopathology, immunohistochemistry, and imaging findings, which included mammography, sonography, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with T2-weighted imaging (T2WI), diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI), and diffusion restriction determined by the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) and a time-intensity curve (TIC) for signal intensity.
RESULTS: The mammographic features of MBC were oval shaped (54.5%), with indistinct margin (45.5%), and high tumor density (72.7%), and on sonography, they were oval shaped (57.1%), with hypo-echogenic areas (85.8%). On MRI, MBC showed moderate hyper-intensity with a high signal intensity in the center of the tumor on T2WI (100%), an indistinct margin (75.0%), and rim enhancement (58.3%). Using a TIC, the early phase showed rapid enhancement, and the delay phase showed a signal plateau (91.7%). DWI showed diffusion restriction in all cases determined by the ADC. Immunohistochemistry showed negative expression of estrogen receptor (ER) (91.0%), progesterone receptor (PR) (81%), and HER2 (erbB-2) (80.0%).
CONCLUSIONS: Imaging features of MBC on mammography and ultrasound were benign. The use of T2WI MRI showed characteristic features of signal intensity using TIC curve and ADC analysis, which may support biopsy and histological analysis for definitive diagnosis.
Keywords: Breast, Constriction, Pathologic, Diffusion Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Mammography, Metaplasia, Biopsy, Breast Neoplasms, Contrast Media, Immunohistochemistry, Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Editorial
01 April 2024 : Editorial
Editorial: Forty Years of Waiting for Prevention and Cure of HIV Infection – Ongoing Challenges and Hopes for Vaccine Development and Overcoming Antiretroviral Drug ResistanceDOI: 10.12659/MSM.944600
Med Sci Monit 2024; 30:e944600
In Press
05 Mar 2024 : Clinical Research
Effects of Thermal Insulation on Recovery and Comfort of Patients Undergoing Holmium Laser LithotripsyMed Sci Monit In Press; DOI: 10.12659/MSM.942836
05 Mar 2024 : Clinical Research
Role of Critical Shoulder Angle in Degenerative Type Rotator Cuff Tears: A Turkish Cohort StudyMed Sci Monit In Press; DOI: 10.12659/MSM.943703
06 Mar 2024 : Clinical Research
Comparison of Outcomes between Single-Level and Double-Level Corpectomy in Thoracolumbar Reconstruction: A ...Med Sci Monit In Press; DOI: 10.12659/MSM.943797
21 Mar 2024 : Meta-Analysis
Economic Evaluation of COVID-19 Screening Tests and Surveillance Strategies in Low-Income, Middle-Income, a...Med Sci Monit In Press; DOI: 10.12659/MSM.943863
Most Viewed Current Articles
17 Jan 2024 : Review article
Vaccination Guidelines for Pregnant Women: Addressing COVID-19 and the Omicron VariantDOI :10.12659/MSM.942799
Med Sci Monit 2024; 30:e942799
14 Dec 2022 : Clinical Research
Prevalence and Variability of Allergen-Specific Immunoglobulin E in Patients with Elevated Tryptase LevelsDOI :10.12659/MSM.937990
Med Sci Monit 2022; 28:e937990
16 May 2023 : Clinical Research
Electrophysiological Testing for an Auditory Processing Disorder and Reading Performance in 54 School Stude...DOI :10.12659/MSM.940387
Med Sci Monit 2023; 29:e940387
01 Jan 2022 : Editorial
Editorial: Current Status of Oral Antiviral Drug Treatments for SARS-CoV-2 Infection in Non-Hospitalized Pa...DOI :10.12659/MSM.935952
Med Sci Monit 2022; 28:e935952