Review of ultrasound appearance in inflammatory breast cancer: A pictorial essay. Issue 1 (2nd December 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Abeywardhana, Dilupani Y; Nascimento, Vinicius C; Dissanayake, Deepthi; Taylor, Donna; Metcalf, Cecily; Saunders, Christobel; Wylie, Elizabeth
• Is Part Of: Journal of medical imaging and radiation oncology. Volume 60:Issue 1(2016:Feb.)
• Page Start: 83
• Page End: 87
• Publication Date: 2015-12-02
• Subjects: breast -- dermal lymphatic dilatation -- inflammatory breast cancer -- skin thickening -- ultrasound; Radiology, Medical -- Periodicals; Radiology, Medical -- Australasia -- Periodicals; 616.0757
• DOI: 10.1111/1754-9485.12418
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1754-9477

Abstract

Summary: Inflammatory breast cancer (IBC) is a rare malignancy accounting for 1–2% of breast cancers. It has an aggressive clinical presentation and poor prognosis. The sonographic findings in 41 patients with a clinical diagnosis of IBC and biopsy‐proven breast malignancy are presented in this study. The most common finding was the presence of skin thickening (92%). Multiple small anechoic spaces within the dermis, correlating with the presence of dermal lymphatic invasion by tumour emboli on histopathology were noted in approximately one‐third of cases. Other sonographic findings included single or multiple masses, parenchymal oedema, axillary lymphadenopathy, echogenic foci consistent with microcalcifications and increased vascularity.