title: Sarcoidosis of the breast: case report and chart review.
abstract: Sarcoidosis is a systemic disease of unknown etiology affecting all organ systems. Breast involvement accounts for less than 1 per cent of cases. In most cases systemic symptoms precede the finding of breast involvement. Involvement of the breast as the primary manifestation of this disease is a rare occurrence. A review of the literature shows a total of 29 cases published in the English language literature between 1921 and 1993. In these cases, less than a third had the breast as the primary organ involved. All cases of sarcoid breast disease presented as breast masses. Biopsy was done in most cases to rule out a malignant breast lesion. In four of the cases reviewed, sarcoid lesions and malignancy coexisted. Pathological features of sarcoidosis are typical for noncaseating lesion; however, differentiation from tuberculosis may be difficult. The PPD and Kviem test should be performed to help come to a diagnosis. Patients with primary breast involvement are highly likely to have subclinical pulmonary disease. Pulmonary function testing, serum lysozyme, and serum angiotensin-converting enzyme levels are helpful in assessing activity of the disease, and directing therapy. We present a case of sarcoidosis of the breast as the primary manifestation of sarcoidosis, and a review of the literature to illustrate these points.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Harlem Hospital, New York, New York, USA.
authors.forename: B A
authors.initials: BA
authors.lastname: Donaldson
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Polynice
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Oluwole
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001941:Breast Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology*; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D012507:Sarcoidosis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology*