title: Retroareolar breast carcinoma: clinical, imaging, and histopathologic features.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the clinical, imaging, and histopathologic features of breast carcinoma in the retroareolar tissues and to determine whether there are any characteristics common to this location.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty-five patients (age range, 38-77 years) with 37 retroareolar carcinomas were identified retrospectively. Retroareolar carcinoma was defined as that within 2 cm of the nipple-areolar complex. Mammographically occult tumors were identified by using histopathologic records (n = 4) or clinical examination findings (n = 6).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Twenty-nine (78%) tumors had clinical findings, including palpable mass (n = 29), associated nipple inversion or retraction (n = 4), and associated nipple discharge (n = 2). Twenty-seven (73%) tumors had mammographic findings of mass (n = 16), mass with calcifications (n = 5), and microcalcifications (n = 6; four of these microcalcifications were associated with a mammographically occult palpable mass). Ultrasound was performed in 17 tumors, all of which were hypoechoic. The stage of 31 carcinomas was known: one was stage 0, 17 were stage I, and 13 were stage II. Histopathologic analysis revealed 35 ductal carcinomas and two invasive lobular carcinomas.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Retroareolar carcinoma usually manifests as a palpable mass. Mammography is less sensitive in this area than in other areas of the breast. Ultrasound can be a valuable adjunct in the assessment of retroareolar malignancy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, New York Hospital-Cornell Medical Center, Strang-Cornell Breast Center, NY 10021, USA.
authors.forename: C S
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Giess
authors.forename: D M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Keating
authors.forename: M P
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Osborne
authors.forename: Y Y
authors.initials: YY
authors.lastname: Ng
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Rosenblatt
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology*; D002277:Carcinoma / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008327:Mammography; D008875:Middle Aged; D009558:Nipples / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016217:Ultrasonography, Mammary