RETROAREOLAR BREAST-CARCINOMA - CLINICAL, IMAGING, AND HISTOPATHOLOGIC FEATURES

PURPOSE: To evaluate the clinical, imaging, and histopathologic featur es of breast carcinoma in the retroareolar tissues and to determine wh ether there are any characteristics common to this location. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty-five patients (age range, 38-77 years) with 37 re troareolar carcinomas were identified retrospectively. Retroareolar ca rcinoma was defined as that within 2 cm of the nipple-areolar complex. Mammographically occult tumors were identified by using histopatholog ic records (n = 4) or clinical examination findings (n = 6). RESULTS: Twenty-nine (78%) tumors had clinical findings, including palpable mas s (n = 29), associated nipple inversion or retraction (n = 4), and ass ociated nipple discharge (n = 2). Twenty-seven (73%) tumors had mammog raphic findings of mass (n = 16), mass with calcifications (n = 5), an d microcalcifications (n = 6; four these microcalcifications were asso ciated with a mammographically occult palpable mass). Ultrasound was p erformed in 17 tumors, all of which were hypoechoic. The stage of 31 c arcinomas was known: one was stage 0, 17 were stage I, and 13 were sta ge II. Histopathologic analysis revealed 35 ductal carcinomas and two invasive lobular carcinomas. CONCLUSION: Retroareolar carcinoma usuall y manifests as a palpable mass. Mammography is less sensitive in this area than in other areas of the breast. Ultrasound can be a valuable a djunct in the assessment of retroareolar malignancy.