Radiologic imaging in relation to malignancy presenting as a benign mass - a case study / Ricardo Mariano P. Naguit.

Includes bibliographical references.

Abstract: Breast cancer is a condition where normal healthy calls of the breast tissue undergo mutagenesis combined with different risk factors. Radiologic modalities such as mammography and ultrasound are commonly used in aiding the diagnosis of breast cancer, however, other techniques such as biopsy should be used to confirm the diagnosis. In this case of a 47-year-old female with a known family history of breast cancer different findings in different radiologic modalities created a dilemma on the real diagnosis. First, ultrasound was done revealing, consider an evolving large hematoma formation left breast, BIRADS category 2: benign findings, cannot rule out abscess formation. Bilaterally enlarged breast lymph nodes, likely reactive. Next, Mammography findings include heterogeneously dense breasts which may obscure small masses: large lobulate high density mass lesion in the left breast, a large lobulated mass lesion in the left outer quadrant and dense, round, bilateral axillary lymph nodes with final impression of BIRADS category 5, highly suggestive of malignancy. Biopsy was also done revealing, Invasive breast carcinoma, nuclear grade 3 with high grade DCIS comedocarcinoma type. Lastly, CT findings include lobulated enhancing mass lesion in the left breast with surrounding inflammatory process and bilateral lymphadenopathies, bilateral enlarged breast lymph node (likely reactive) with BIRADS category 2. Histological examination was employed and confirmed that the lesion is malignant. This study aims to show the different imaging modalities, their strengths and limitations, in identifying and differentiating benign versus malignant lesions.

Research - Department of Radiology