Diffuse metastatic involvement of the breast.
Metastases to the breast are not very common and, according to the recent literature, usually present as nodules, most often single but sometimes multiple, generally without retraction or thickening of the skin. The authors reviewed 21 such cases from the last 15 years. In six patients the metastatic infiltration presented as diffuse thickening of the skin and increased density of the breast, as can be seen in inflammatory diseases or after radiotherapy. In five of these six women lymphangitic spread of the carcinoma was demonstrated by microscopy.
Department of Radiology, Hôpital Notre-Dame, Montreal, Que.
G
G
Hébert
D
D
Ouimet-Oliva
F
F
Paquin
V
V
Nicolet
L
L
Carignan
F
F
Bourdon
J
J
Prenovault
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology / Q000556:secondary*; D002276:Carcinoid Tumor / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000556:secondary; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007414:Intestinal Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology; D007421:Intestine, Small; D008297:Male; D008545:Melanoma / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000556:secondary; D008875:Middle Aged; D009378:Neoplasms, Multiple Primary / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D010051:Ovarian Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology; D011859:Radiography; D012867:Skin / Q000473:pathology