MRI in patients with axillary metastases of occult breast carcinoma.
In 4 women with adenocarcinoma metastasis in an axillary lymph node and no primary tumor found, we investigated whether Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) of the breast could detect a clinically and mammographically occult breast tumor. MRI detected an enhancing lesion in 3 women and an enhancing double lesion in one patient. MRI directed ultrasound guided fine needle aspiration cytology confirmed the 5 breast carcinomas in the 4 women. In women with metastasis in an axillary lymph node consistent with breast cancer and without a primary tumor, MRI of the breast should added to clinical examination and mammography before defining it as an occult primary and planning therapy.
Tilanus-Linthorst
M M
MM
Dr. Daniel den Hoed Cancer Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
Obdeijn
A I
AI
Bontenbal
M
M
Oudkerk
M
M
D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000175:diagnosis*; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001365:Axilla; D001707:Biopsy, Needle; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis / Q000175:diagnosis*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods; D008875:Middle Aged; D009382:Neoplasms, Unknown Primary / Q000175:diagnosis*