title: Imaging findings of primary breast sarcoma: Results of a first multicenter study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate imaging findings in patients with primary breast sarcoma (PBS).
  
  
  METHODS
  A retrospective search in the databases of 10 radiological departments in Germany from 2000 to 2011 was performed. Only histologically proven cases of PBS were included into the study. Mammography was available in 31 patients (33 lesions), ultrasound images in 24 patients (24 lesions), and for 10 patients (14 lesions) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the breast was performed. The breast findings were classified according to the American College of Radiology Breast Imaging Reporting and Data Systems (BI-RADS) 5th edition categories. Collected data were evaluated by means of descriptive statistics.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Forty-two female patients (mean age 62.0 years, range, 30-86 years) were included in the study. Clinically, all women had painless lumps. Irregular (53.3% [16/30]) or oval (30.0% [9/30]) mass with indistinct (73.3% [22/30]) or microlobulated (10% [3/30]) margins were common findings on mammograms. Ultrasound revealed typically an irregular (79.2% [19/24]), hypoechoic (62.5% [15/24]) mass, with indistinct margins (79.2% [19/24]), and posterior acoustic shadowing (79.2% [19/24]). MRI showed irregular masses (81.8% [9/11]) with irregular or spiculated margins, and a rapid initial signal increase with a delayed washout in kinetic analysis.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Overall, PBS has no pathognomonic imaging features and can mimic those of invasive mammary carcinoma. Breast sarcoma should be taken into the differential diagnosis of breast findings described above.
authors.affiliation: University of Göttingen, Institute of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Robert- Koch-Str. 40, 37075 Göttingen, Germany. Electronic address: susanne.wienbeck@med.uni-goettingen.de.
authors.forename: Susanne
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Wienbeck
authors.affiliation: University Hospital Halle, Department of Radiology, Ernst-Grube-Str. 40, 06120 Halle, Germany.
authors.forename: Hans Jonas
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Meyer
authors.affiliation: University of Jena, Institute of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Erlanger Allee 101, 07747 Jena, Germany.
authors.forename: Aimee
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Herzog
authors.affiliation: University of Saarland, Clinic for Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Kirrberger Str. 100, 66424 Homburg, Germany.
authors.forename: Sogand
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Nemat
authors.affiliation: University of Mainz, Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Langenbeckstr. 1, 55131 Mainz, Germany.
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Teifke
authors.affiliation: University of Münster, Institute of Clinical Radiology, Albert-Schweitzer-Str. 33, 48149 Münster, Germany.
authors.forename: Walter
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Heindel
authors.affiliation: University of Kiel, Institute of Radiology and Neuroradiology, Arnold-Heller-Str. 3, 24105 Kiel, Germany.
authors.forename: Fritz
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Schäfer
authors.affiliation: University of Essen, Institute of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology and Neuroradiology, Hufelandstr. 55, 45147 Essen, Germany.
authors.forename: Sonja
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kinner
authors.affiliation: Clinic Frankfurt Höchst, Department of Radiology, Gotenstr. 6, 65929 Frankfurt am Main, Germany.
authors.forename: Markus
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Müller-Schimpfle
authors.affiliation: University Hospital Halle, Department of Radiology, Ernst-Grube-Str. 40, 06120 Halle, Germany; University of Leipzig, Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Liebigstr. 20, 04103 Leipzig, Germany.
authors.forename: Alexey
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Surov
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001940:Breast / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D008327:Mammography / Q000379:methods*; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012509:Sarcoma / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D016217:Ultrasonography, Mammary / Q000379:methods*
keywords: Breast; MRI; Mammography; Primary breast sarcoma; Ultrasound