title: Mucinous carcinomas of the breast: imaging features and potential for misdiagnosis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Pure mucinous breast carcinomas (PMBC) are commonly lobulated, therefore appear relatively benign compared with the imaging features of invasive ductal carcinoma. The aim of this study was to determine mammographic and sonographic patterns of PMBC, in particular features that may result in misdiagnosis.
  
  
  METHODS
  Retrospective review of available mammography and sonography in 90 patients diagnosed with PMBC within the Monash BreastScreen service, 1993-2011 inclusive.
  
  
  RESULTS
  PMBC commonly have indistinct or lobulated mammographic and sonographic margins. Mammographic calcifications are absent in the majority (82%). On ultrasound, these neoplasms are commonly isoechoic (51%) with normal posterior acoustic appearances (80%). However, most (77%) of these lesions have suspicious or definite imaging features of malignancy.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  PMBC are commonly lobulated with homogeneous, isoechoic and normal posterior acoustic sonographic appearances but rarely have benign imaging features.
authors: BreastScreen Victoria, Monash Medical Centre (Moorabbin), Victoria, Australia. zhi_yie@yahoo.com.au
authors: Judith Zhi-Yie
authors: JZ
authors: Tan
authors: John
authors: J
authors: Waugh
authors: Beena
authors: B
authors: Kumar
authors: Jill
authors: J
authors: Evans
mesh_terms: D002288:Adenocarcinoma, Mucinous / Q000175:diagnosis*; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis*; D002114:Calcinosis / Q000175:diagnosis*; D018270:Carcinoma, Ductal, Breast / Q000175:diagnosis*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D003951:Diagnostic Errors / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008327:Mammography / Q000379:methods*; D008875:Middle Aged; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity