[en] Adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC) is a rare variant of adenocarcinoma that usually occurs in the major salivary gland. In breast, adenoid cystic carcinoma is a very rare carcinoma accounting for less than 1% of the all breast carcinoma. It has an excellent prognosis with the lower incidence of distant metastasis and axillary lymph node involvement, and a benign looking or low suspicious findings on imaging. We will report the radiologic and pathologic finding of the adenoid cystic carcinoma that is incidentally detected in the right breast of asymptomatic 47-year-old woman, who had taken annual screening mammogram and ultrasonogram

[en] To compare sonography and mammography in terms of their diagnostic value in breast cancer cases which initially presented as an axillary mass without a palpable mass or other clinical symptoms. Seven patients with enlarged axillary lymph nodes who first presented with no evidence of palpable breast lesions and who underwent both mammography and sonography were enrolled in this study. In six of the seven, the presence of metastatic adenocarcinoma was confirmed preoperatively by axillary needle aspiration biopsy; in four, subsequent sonographically guided breast core biopsy performed after careful examination of the primary site indicated that primary breast cancer was present. In each case, the radiologic findings were evaluated by both breast sonography and mammography. Breast lesions were detected mammographically in four of seven cases (57%); in three of the four, the lesion presented as a mass, and in one as microcalcification. In three of these four detected cases, fatty or scattered fibroglandular breast parenchyma was present; in one, the parenchyma was dense. In the three cases in which lesions were not detected, mammography revealed the presence of heterogeneously dense parenchyma. Breast sonography showed that lesions were present in six of seven cases (86%); in the remaining patient, malignant microcalcification was detected at mammography. Final pathologic examination indicated that all breast lesions except one, which was a ductal carcinoma in situ, with microinvasion, were infiltrating ductal carcinomas whose size ranged from microscopic to greater than 3 cm. At the time of this study, all seven patients were alive and well, having been disease free for up to 61 months after surgery. In women with a palpable axillary mass confirmed as metastatic adenocarcinoma, breast sonography may be a valuable adjunct to mammography

[en] We wanted to determine if the analysis and categorization of breast lesions with using BI-RADS for US would be useful. We retrospectively reviewed 1,024 cases (976 persons), in which US-guided core needle biopsy had been performed. The breast lesions were described and categorized according to the BI-RADS for US. Each US characteristic was analyzed in order to determine its association with a benign versus malignant tissue diagnosis. The diagnostic sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value, and the accuracy of breast US were examined. Logistic regression analyses of the US features in terms of their ability to distinguish between benign and malignant breast lesions showed that all eight US features (shape, orientation, margin, echogenicity, posterior acoustic features, surrounding tissue, calcification and special cases) were statistically significant. Moreover, the shape, margin, microcalcification and enlarged axillary lymph nodes were found to be the most useful diagnostic features. In addition, a clinically palpable mass increased the diagnostic accuracy up to 92.7%. The positive predictive value of a category 3 lesion was 0.8%, and those of category 4 and 5 lesions were 30.4% and 99.4%, respectively. The diagnostic sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value and accuracy of breast US were 99.0%, 57.2%, 49.5%, 99.3% and 69.6%, respectively. Using BI-RADS for US in breast can be successful for characterizing and differentiating both the malignant and benign lesions of the breast

[en] To describe the changes in diagnostic methods and reassess the role of core biopsy compared with needle localization biopsy (NLB) in the evaluation of non-palpable breast lesions. We retrospectively analyzed 930 non-palpable breast lesions which underwent either core biopsy or NLB between January 1996 and December 2000. NLB involved 511 lesions in 482 patients, and core 419 lesions in 365 patients. For a given lesion, NLB was guided by either mammography (n=213) or ultrasonography (US) (n=298), but only US was used to guide a core biopsy. Over the five-year period, we calculated the total number of biopsies per year relating to non-palpable breast lesions, also determining the mammographic findings in cases involving NLB and the percentage of malignancies seen at histopathology. The total number of biopsies increased with time: 1996: n=91, 1997: n=118, 1998: n=144, 1999: n=245, 2000: n=332. The implementation of core biopsy, however, led to a decrease in the proportion of NLB (1996: 97.8%, 1997:84.7%, 1998: 75.7%, 1999: 47.8%, 2000: 28.9%). Among nonpalpable lesions which underwent mammgraphy-guided MLB, 46.5% (20/43) were a mass or density in 1996, while in 2000 the proportion was 5.7% (2/35). During this period, however, the finding of calcification without a mass increased from 48.8% in 1996 to 94.3% in 2000. The proportion of cases in which NLB demonstrated malignancy increased from 13.5% in 1996 to 49% in 2000; where US-guided NLB was used, the increase was remarkable: from 15.2% in 1996 to 65.6% in 2000. In the evaluation of non-palpable breast lesions, the appropriate use of core biopsy can decrease the need for a more invasive method such as NLB. Furthermore, because most benign lesions diagnosed by core biopsy do not also undergo NLB, the use of the latter increases the yield of malignancies

[en] Burns and chronic inflammation are well-known circumstances in which malignant transformation may occur during wound healing. There are many reports of malignancies developing from a burn scar; however, there are only a few reports of malignancy arising from chronic inflammation or from the skin of a surgical scar following excision of a benign mass, in any part of the body. There are only twelve reported cases of breast cancer developing from a surgical scar, moreover, there have been no reports in the last 30 years. This case is a recent example of breast cancer developing in a surgical scar that showed subtle changes on sequential sonograms. The imaging findings of this case were subtle but the mass that had been shrinking developed an angular margin in one region. These findings, along with the penetrating vascularity revealed on Doppler, prompted us to proceed to a biopsy of the lesion. It was of critical importance to compare the size and the shape of the lesion with previous ultrasounds in order to exclude malignancy in any iatrogenically altered lesion. Based on this case, we conclude that whenever a subtle change is detected, at a surgical site, a biopsy should be performed. Breast cancer developing from a surgical scar is rare; this type of malignancy has been reported in only 12 cases to date. Herein, we report on a 52-year-old female who developed infiltrating ductal carcinoma in a surgical scar following excision of a benign mass. Two years previously, the patient underwent surgery and radiotherapy for invasive ductal carcinoma of the contralateral breast. The initial appearance of the scar was similar to fat necrosis; it was observed to be progressively shrinking on follow-up sonography. On the two year follow-up ultrasound, the appearance changed, an angular margin and vascularity at the periphery of the scar were noted. A biopsy and subsequent excision of the scar were performed; the diagnosis of infiltrating ductal carcinoma of the scar was confirmed

[en] There are few studies evaluating the usefulness of dedicated high-resolution scintimammography and no studies using delayed washout with this dedicated high resolution scintimammography for the evaluation of breast lesions. We underwent this study to evaluate the clinical usefulness of Tc-99m MIBI in evaluating patients with palpable breast lesions using dedicated high-resolution scintimammography. This study included 19 patients with 23 palpable breast lesions who underwent mammography. Tc-99m MIBI was taken to further characterize these lesions. Scintimammography images were acquired with standard craniocaudal and mediolateral oblique views and delayed images were additionally taken. Final conclusions were based on histopathology, either by biopsy or mastectomy results. Eighteen lesions were malignant and five were benign. Mammography was indeterminate for thirteen lesions, nine of those were malignant. Mammography also categorized one lesion as benign in a dense breast, but scintimammography and pathology results showed malignancy. Of the five benign lesions, two were visible on scintimammography, but delayed images showed washout. Based on our preliminary results, dedicated high resolution scintimammography seems to be very useful in characterizing palpable lesions that were indeterminate or negative on mammography

[en] The aim of the study was to investigate the parameters affecting positive margin and the impact of positive margin on outcomes after breast-conserving therapy in patients with breast cancer. Characteristics and survival of 705 patients attempted breast-conserving therapy between January 1994 and December 2004 were retrospectively analyzed using χ² tests, the Kaplan-Meier methods and multivariate analyses. Ninety-five (13.5%) showed positive margins at initial resection. Among them, 28 (4.0%) had negative margin on the initial frozen section; however, they finally turned out a focally positive margin with intraductal carcinoma on the permanent pathology. Positive margin at initial resection was significantly associated with lobular histology (P=0.001), four or more involved lymph nodes (P=0.015) and the presence of extensive intraductal component (P<0.001). A focally positive margin did not influence local (P=0.250; 95% confidence interval, 0.612-6.592) or regional failure (P=0.756; 95% confidence interval, 0.297-5.311). Patients with a focally positive margin showed an advanced nodal stage and received a higher dose of irradiation and more systemic therapy. Nodal involvements were the most significant factor for locoregional failure. Although the achievement of negative margins is the best way to reduce local failure, patients with a focally positive margin and favorable risk factors such as node negativity and older age could have an option of close follow-up with adequate boost irradiation and adjuvant therapy instead of conversion to total mastectomy. (author)

[en] To evaluate the surgical outcomes of fibroepithelial lesion with cellular stroma (FELCS) diagnosed at sonography guided core needle biopsy of breast masses, and to determine whether the clinical and imaging features of this lesion could predict the presence of a phyllodes tumor. We retrospectively reviewed the pathologic results of sonography guided core needle biopsy of solid breast masses. A total of 55 FELCS diagnosed with this procedure that underwent subsequent surgical excision were included in this study; their medical records and radiologic images were retrospectively reviewed. The results of the surgical excision revealed 22 (40%) phyllodes tumors and 33 (60%) non-phyllodes tumors: 30 (54.6%) fibroadenomas, 1 (1.8%) adenosis, 1 (1.8%) fibrocystic changes and 1 (1.8%) fibroadenomatous hyperplasia. Lesion size and patient age were significantly different between phyllodes tumors and nonphyllodes tumors groups (32.2 ± 14.07 mm/22.4 ± 13.64 mm, p=0.0078, 43.5 ± 11.60 years/36.5 ± 10.25 years, p=0.0207). Among the sonographic features, only cleft was significantly more visible in phyllodes tumors than in non-phyllodes tumors (n=14 (70%)/n=6 (30%), p=0.0016). The size of the lesions, the age of the patients, and the sonographic features of cleft were the significant helpful variables to predict phyllodes tumors among FELCS diagnosed at breast core biopsy.

[en] The purpose of this study was to determine the frequency of carcinoma at percutaneous directional vacuum-assisted removal (DVAR) in women with imaging-histologic discordance during ultrasound (US)-guided automated core needle biopsy, and to determine the role of DVAR in breast lesions with imaging-histologic discordance. A US-guided 14-gauge automated core needle biopsy was performed on 837 consecutive lesions. Imaging-histologic discordance was prospectively considered in 33 of 634 benign biopsies. DVAR was recommended in those lesions. Among the 33 lesions, 26 lesions that underwent subsequent DVAR or surgical excision made up our study population. Medical records, imaging studies, and histologic findings were reviewed. Among the 26 lesions, 18 lesions underwent subsequent US-guided DVAR, with 8-gauge probes for 15 of the lesions, and 11-gauge for three of the lesions. Two lesions were diagnosed as having carcinoma (2/18, 11.1% of upgrade rate; 3.1-32.8% CI). The remaining eight lesions underwent subsequent surgical excision, and carcinoma was diagnosed in one case (12.5% of upgrade rate; 2.2-47.1% CI). A US-guided DVAR of the breast mass with imaging-histologic discordance during US-guided 14-gauge automated core needle biopsy is a valuable alternative to surgery as a means of obtaining a definitive histological diagnosis. (orig.)

[en] Purpose: To test the difference in treatment outcome between breast-conservation surgery with radiation and total mastectomy without radiation, to evaluate the benefits of adjuvant radiotherapy in patients with one to three positive axillary lymph nodes. Methods and Materials: Using the Severance Hospital Breast Cancer Registry, we divided the study population of T1, T2 and one to three axillary node-positive patients into two groups: breast-conservation surgery with radiation (BCS/RT) and total mastectomy without radiation (TM/no-RT). Data related to locoregional recurrence, distant recurrence, and death were collected, and survival rates were calculated. Results: The study population consisted of 125 patients treated with BCS/RT and 365 patients treated with TM/no-RT. With a median follow-up of 68.4 months, the 10-year locoregional recurrence-free survival rate with BCS/RT and TM/no-RT was 90.5% and 79.2%, respectively (p = 0.056). The 10-year distant recurrence-free survival rate was 78.8% for patients treated with BCS/RT vs. 68.0% for those treated with TM/no-RT (p = 0.012). The 10-years overall survival rate for patients treated with BCT/RT and TM/no-RT was 87.5% and 73.9%, respectively (p = 0.035). After multivariate analysis, patients treated with BCT/RT had better distant recurrence-free survival (hazard ratio [HR], 0.527; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.297-0.934; p = 0.028), with improving locoregional recurrence-free survival (HR, 0.491; 95% CI, 0.231-1.041; p = 0.064) and overall survival trend (HR, 0.544; 95% CI, 0.277-1.067; p = 0.076). Conclusions: This study provides additional evidence that adjuvant radiation substantially reduces local recurrence, distant recurrence, and mortality for patients with one to three involved nodes.