A rare case of primary breast lymphoma presenting as calcifications on screening mammography.

Extranodal marginal zone lymphoma (EMZL) is a low-grade subtype of B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma that can affect any mucosal tissue, most commonly the GI tract. Primary involvement of the breast, known as primary breast lymphoma (PBL), is a very rare manifestation. We report an unusual case of a 65-year-old woman with primary breast EMZL presenting as calcifications discovered during screening mammography. This represents an exceedingly atypical appearance of primary breast lymphoma that is rarely described in the literature.

The Effect of Black Cohosh on Ki67 expression and Tumor Volume: A Pilot Study of Ductal Carcinoma in Situ Patients.

BACKGROUND: Black cohosh (BC) (Cimicifuga racemosa) may prevent and treat breast cancer through anti-proliferative, pro-apoptotic, anti-estrogenic, and anti-inflammatory effects. This study sought to evaluate the effect of BC on tumor cellular proliferation, measured by Ki67 expression, in a pre-operative window trial of ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) patients. METHODS: Patients were treated pre-operatively for 2 to 6 weeks with BC extract. Eligible subjects were those who had DCIS on core biopsy. Ki67 was measured using automated quantitative immunofluorescence (AQUA) pre/post-operatively. Ki67, tumor volume, and hormone changes were assessed with 2-sided Wilcoxon signed-rank tests, α = .05. RESULTS: Thirty-one patients were treated for an average of 24.5 days (median 25; range 15-36). Ki67 decreased non-significantly (n = 26; P = .20; median pre-treatment 1280, post-treatment 859; range pre-treatment 175-7438, post-treatment 162-3370). Tumor volume, estradiol, and FSH did not change significantly. No grade 3 or 4 adverse events were reported. CONCLUSIONS: BC use showed no significant impact on cellular proliferation, tumor volume, or invasive disease upgrade rates in DCIS patients. It was well-tolerated, with no observed significant toxicities. Further study is needed to elucidate BC's role in breast cancer treatment and prevention.ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT01628536https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01628536.

A rare case of synchronous mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphoma involving bilateral breasts and subcutaneous tissues.

Marginal zone lymphoma of mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue is a B-cell lymphoma which arises in extranodal sites, most commonly the stomach. Involvement of the breast is very rare. We present a case of an asymptomatic 63-year-old woman with synchronous mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma involving both breasts and subcutaneous tissues. This represents a form of secondary breast lymphoma (given the concurrent involvement of the breast and non-mammary organ systems) and is an exceedingly rare diagnosis which, to our knowledge, has only been discussed in a few case series.

The Role of Ultrasound in Breast Cancer Screening: The Case for and Against Ultrasound.

Mammography is the gold standard for breast cancer screening. However, with increasing awareness among patients and health care providers of mammography limitations especially in dense breasts, supplemental screening for breast cancer with ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging has been expanding. The roles of both in screening need to be re-examined. This article reviews the efficacy, utility, and feasibility of ultrasound as a screening tool for the early detection of occult breast cancer.

Retroareolar masses and intraductal abnormalities detected on screening ultrasound: can biopsy be avoided?

To investigate the malignancy rate of retroareolar masses and intraductal abnormalities discovered in asymptomatic females during screening whole breast ultrasound (US-S) and determine if biopsy can be avoided. METHODS:: This is a HIPAA compliant retrospective study. Our radiology electronic medical records were searched for the phrases "retroareolar mass" or "intraductal mass" combined with "screening whole breast ultrasound" performed between 10/1/2009 and 5/30/2015. Inclusion criteria included retroareolar masses in asymptomatic females with normal mammography, mammographically dense breast tissue and imaging or biopsy follow-up. RESULTS:: 1136 charts were reviewed. 87 BI-RADS 3 and 4 retroareolar findings were included in final analysis. The average lesion size was 9.5 mm (range 4-28 mm). 47/87 lesions were classified as BI-RADS 3 and 40/87 BI-RADS 4. Of the 47 BI-RADS 3 lesions, 36 were stable on follow-up; 6 benign lesions were biopsied at patients' request; and 5 biopsied due to suspicious interval change on follow-up imaging, including 4 benign lesions and a 5 mm Grade 2 ductal carcinoma in situ . 3/40 BI-RADS 4 lesions were not biopsied and stable at follow-up; 37/40 lesions underwent benign biopsy. The malignancy rate of BI-RADS 3 and 4 lesions was 2.1% [CI (0.4-11.1)] and 0% [CI (0.0-8.8)], respectively. The overall combined malignancy rate was 1/87 [1.1%, CI (0.2-6.2)]. CONCLUSION:: The malignancy rate for BI-RADS 3 and 4 retroareolar masses and intraductal abnormalities detected on US-S is low (<2%). ADVANCES IN KNOWLEDGE:: Careful imaging surveillance in lieu of biopsy of these lesions may be appropriate in asymptomatic females with negative mammography.

In Vivo Changes of Breast Perfusion After Augmentation.

BACKGROUND: Revision surgeries after breast augmentation are associated with an increased risk of complications (eg, nipple areolar complex [NAC]) necrosis. Consequently, maintaining perfusion to the NAC is a critical aspect of secondary breast surgery. OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to examine in vivo changes in perfusion to the NAC after implant breast augmentation using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) technology. METHODS: High-resolution 3 Tesla MRI images of 10 women (20 breasts) with previous breast augmentation were compared to a control population of 15 women (30 breasts). Perforators from the internal mammary artery and lateral thoracic artery were examined for the diameter of the originating perforator, distance between the nipple and most distally visualized point of the medial and lateral perforator, and dominance pattern between the medial vs lateral perforators. RESULTS: No difference was found in the caliber of the medial vessels in the implant group compared to the control group. In contrast, the caliber of the lateral blood vessels trended towards being 20% larger in diameter in the augmented breasts. The distances between the nipple and the medial and lateral vessels increased. The frequencies in the distribution of dominance were not significantly different between the implant group and the control group. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, medial and lateral blood supply to the NAC are preserved in the augmented patient. Our results suggest a slight delay effect that seems to increase the caliber of the lateral perforators. In addition, the tissue expansion provided by the implants effectively increases the length of both perforators. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 3 Therapeutic.

Tomosynthesis in the Diagnostic Setting: Changing Rates of BI-RADS Final Assessment over Time.

Purpose To evaluate the effect of tomosynthesis in diagnostic mammography on the Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System (BI-RADS) final assessment categories over time. Materials and Methods This retrospective study was approved by the institutional review board. The authors reviewed all diagnostic mammograms obtained during a 12-month interval before (two-dimensional [2D] mammography [June 2, 2010, to June 1, 2011]) and for 3 consecutive years after (tomosynthesis year 1 [2012], tomosynthesis year 2 [2013], and tomosynthesis year 3 [2014]) the implementation of tomosynthesis. The requirement to obtain informed consent was waived. The rates of BI-RADS final assessment categories 1-5 were compared between the 2D and tomosynthesis groups. The positive predictive values after biopsy (PPV3) for BI-RADS category 4 and 5 cases were compared. The mammographic features (masses, architectural distortions, calcifications, focal asymmetries) of lesions categorized as probably benign (BI-RADS category 3) and those for which biopsy was recommended (BI-RADS category 4 or 5) were reviewed. The χ(2) test was used to compare the rates of BI-RADS final assessment categories 1-5 between the two groups, and multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to compare all diagnostic studies categorized as BI-RADS 3-5. Results There was an increase in the percentage of cases reported as negative or benign (BI-RADS category 1 or 2) with tomosynthesis (58.7% with 2D mammography vs 75.8% with tomosynthesis at year 3, P < .0001). A reduction in the percentage of probably benign (BI-RADS category 3) final assessments also occurred (33.3% with 2D mammography vs 16.4% with tomosynthesis at year 3, P < .0001). Although the rates of BI-RADS 4 or 5 assessments did not change significantly with tomosynthesis (8.0% with 2D mammography vs 7.8% with tomosynthesis at year 3, P = .2), there was a significant increase in the PPV3 (29.6% vs 50%, respectively; P < .0001). These trends increased during the 3 years of tomosynthesis use. Conclusion Tomosynthesis in the diagnostic setting resulted in progressive shifts in the BI-RADS final assessment categories over time, with a significant increase in the proportion of studies classified as normal, a continued decrease in the rate of studies categorized as probably benign, and improved diagnostic confidence in biopsy recommendations. (©) RSNA, 2016.

Tomosynthesis-detected Architectural Distortion: Management Algorithm with Radiologic-Pathologic Correlation.

As use of digital breast tomosynthesis becomes increasingly widespread, new management challenges are inevitable because tomosynthesis may reveal suspicious lesions not visible at conventional two-dimensional (2D) full-field digital mammography. Architectural distortion is a mammographic finding associated with a high positive predictive value for malignancy. It is detected more frequently at tomosynthesis than at 2D digital mammography and may even be occult at conventional 2D imaging. Few studies have focused on tomosynthesis-detected architectural distortions to date, and optimal management of these distortions has yet to be well defined. Since implementing tomosynthesis at our institution in 2011, we have learned some practical ways to assess architectural distortion. Because distortions may be subtle, tomosynthesis localization tools plus improved visualization of adjacent landmarks are crucial elements in guiding mammographic identification of elusive distortions. These same tools can guide more focused ultrasonography (US) of the breast, which facilitates detection and permits US-guided tissue sampling. Some distortions may be sonographically occult, in which case magnetic resonance imaging may be a reasonable option, both to increase diagnostic confidence and to provide a means for image-guided biopsy. As an alternative, tomosynthesis-guided biopsy, conventional stereotactic biopsy (when possible), or tomosynthesis-guided needle localization may be used to achieve tissue diagnosis. Practical uses for tomosynthesis in evaluation of architectural distortion are highlighted, potential complications are identified, and a working algorithm for management of tomosynthesis-detected architectural distortion is proposed.

Early clinical experience with digital breast tomosynthesis for screening mammography.

PURPOSE: To examine recall rates from screening mammography and the mammographic findings that caused recall in women who underwent digital breast tomosynthesis with conventional mammography (referred to as two-dimensional [ 2D two-dimensional ] with three-dimensional [ 3D three-dimensional ] imaging [ 2D two-dimensional + 3D three-dimensional ]) and in women who underwent conventional mammography alone (referred to as 2D two-dimensional ). MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was an institutional review board-approved, HIPAA-compliant study with waivers of informed consent. A retrospective review of 2D two-dimensional + 3D three-dimensional and 2D two-dimensional screening mammograms from August 1, 2011, to December 31, 2012, was performed. Recall rates and abnormalities that caused recall were compared by controlling for differences in patient age, breast density, and risk factors. Cancer detection rate was assessed from this time period and from 1 year before the introduction of tomosynthesis for a historic control. RESULTS: This study included 17 955 screening mammograms; of the total, there were 8591 (47.8%) 2D two-dimensional + 3D three-dimensional screening examinations and 9364 (52.2%) 2D two-dimensional examinations. The recall rate was 7.8% (671 of 8592) for 2D two-dimensional + 3D three-dimensional and 12.3% (1154 of 9364) for 2D two-dimensional (P < .0001); the rate of recall was 36.6% lower in the 2D two-dimensional + 3D three-dimensional group than in the 2D two-dimensional group. Recall rates for the 2D two-dimensional + 3D three-dimensional group were significantly lower for patients with asymmetries, ( 2D two-dimensional + 3D three-dimensional vs 2D two-dimensional , 3.1% [267 of 8591] vs 7.4% [689 of 9364], respectively; P < .0001) and calcifications ( 2D two-dimensional + 3D three-dimensional vs 2D two-dimensional , 2.4% [205 of 8591] vs 3.2% [297 of 9364], respectively; P = .0014). For patients with masses and architectural distortion, the difference in recall rates was not significant (masses: 2D two-dimensional + 3D three-dimensional vs 2D two-dimensional , 2.5% [215 of 8591] vs 2.5% [237 of 9364], respectively; P = .90; architectural distortion: 2D two-dimensional + 3D three-dimensional vs 2D two-dimensional , 0.68% [58 of 8591] vs 0.69% [65 of 9364]; P = .88). Cancer detection was highest in the 2D two-dimensional + 3D three-dimensional group at 5.9 cancers per 1000 examinations, with 5.7 cancers per 1000 examinations in the concurrent 2D two-dimensional group, and 4.4 cancers per 1000 examinations in the historic control. CONCLUSION: Use of tomosynthesis ( 2D two-dimensional + 3D three-dimensional ) compared with conventional mammography ( 2D two-dimensional ) is associated with a lower recall rate of screening mammography, most often for asymmetries.

Breast ultrasound for the interventionalist.

Ultrasound (US)-guided interventional procedures are routinely performed for lesions visualized on US and are the standard of care in the diagnosis and management of breast disease. When performed correctly, these procedures are safe, minimally invasive, and have a high diagnostic accuracy comparable to surgical biopsy. The most commonly performed US-guided procedures include fine-needle aspiration, core needle biopsy, and preoperative wire localization. The success of these procedures depends on a thorough understanding of the indications, strong technical skills, and appropriate postbiopsy management. This article reviews the indications and techniques for US-guided interventional procedures. Concordance of imaging and pathology results, potential challenges, and associated complications are also discussed.

Is there a correlation between breast cancer molecular subtype using receptors as surrogates and mammographic appearance?

BACKGROUND: The identification of distinct molecular subtypes has changed breast cancer management. The correlation between mammographic appearance and molecular subtype for invasive breast cancer has not been extensively studied. METHODS: A retrospective review of our prospectively collected database was performed to evaluate the mammographic appearance and molecular subtypes of all cases of invasive breast cancers diagnosed between 2003 and 2010. RESULTS: There were 985 cases of invasive breast cancer with complete data on receptor status and mammographic appearance. The most common mammographic finding was a mass (61 %), and the most common molecular subtype was ER/PR positive, HER2 negative (71 %). On univariate analysis, race, stage, and histology were all significantly associated with molecular subtype. On multivariate analysis, the luminal molecular type was associated with architectural distortion [odds ratio (OR) 4.3, 95 % CI 1.3-14.1]; HER2 positive cancers, either with or without ER/PR expression, were more likely to be associated with mammographic calcifications (OR 2.8 and 3.1, respectively; 95 % CI 1.7-4.8 and 1.7-5.5); and triple negative cancers were most likely to be associated with a mammographic mass (OR 2.5; 95 % CI 1.4-4.4). CONCLUSIONS: We observed several characteristic associations between molecular subtype and mammographic appearance. Improved understanding of these associations may help guide clinical decision making and provide information about underlying tumor biology.

Comparison of tomosynthesis plus digital mammography and digital mammography alone for breast cancer screening.

PURPOSE: To compare screening recall rates and cancer detection rates of tomosynthesis plus conventional digital mammography to those of conventional digital mammography alone. MATERIALS AND METHODS: All patients presenting for screening mammography between October 1, 2011, and September 30, 2012, at four clinical sites were reviewed in this HIPAA-compliant retrospective study, for which the institutional review board granted approval and waived the requirement for informed consent. Patients at sites with digital tomosynthesis were offered screening with digital mammography plus tomosynthesis. Patients at sites without tomosynthesis underwent conventional digital mammography. Recall rates were calculated and stratified according to breast density and patient age. Cancer detection rates were calculated and stratified according to the presence of a risk factor for breast cancer. The Fisher exact test was used to compare the two groups. Multivariate logistic regression was used to assess the effect of screening method, breast density, patient age, and cancer risk on the odds of recall from screening. RESULTS: A total of 13 158 patients presented for screening mammography; 6100 received tomosynthesis. The overall recall rate was 8.4% for patients in the tomosynthesis group and 12.0% for those in the conventional mammography group (P < .01). The addition of tomosynthesis reduced recall rates for all breast density and patient age groups, with significant differences (P < .05) found for scattered fibroglandular, heterogeneously dense, and extremely dense breasts and for patients younger than 40 years, those aged 40-49 years, those aged 50-59 years, and those aged 60-69 years. These findings persisted when multivariate logistic regression was used to control for differences in age, breast density, and elevated risk of breast cancer. The cancer detection rate was 5.7 per 1000 in patients receiving tomosynthesis versus 5.2 per 1000 in patients receiving conventional mammography alone (P = .70). CONCLUSION: Patients undergoing tomosynthesis plus digital mammography had significantly lower screening recall rates. The greatest reductions were for those younger than 50 years and those with dense breasts. A nonsignificant 9.5% increase in cancer detection was observed in the tomosynthesis group.