Metaplastic carcinoma of the breast: report of two cases in clinical, mammographic, and sonographic findings with histopathological correlation

Authors

  • Cholatip Wiratkapun Department of Radiology, Faculty of Medicine, Ramathibodi hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok
  • Sansanee Wongwaisayawan Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Ramathibodi hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok
  • Kamoltum Pulpinyo Department of Radiology, Faculty of Medicine, Ramathibodi hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok
  • Bussanee Wibulpholprasert Department of Radiology, Faculty of Medicine, Ramathibodi hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok

Abstract

Metaplastic breast carcinoma is a very rare breast malignancy. It regards as ductal carcinomas that undergo metaplasia into nonglandular mesenchymal tissue, consisting with squamous, spindle cell, chondroid (cartilaginous) or osseous differentiation. The clinical pressentation is usually a palpable mass. Axillary lymph node metastasis is infrequent. No specic mammographic features are found. The mass often shows high density. The borders vary from well-circumscribed to speculated margins. Associated microcalcifications are uncommon. On sonographic examination, complex echogenicity with solid and cystic components may be seen and is highly suggestive of metaplastic breast carcinoma. It relates to necrosis and cystic degeneration found histopathologically. Excisional biopsy is preferred for tissue diagnosis because aspiration cytology or core-needle biopsy may miss the metaplastic component.

References

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Published

2025-08-02

How to Cite

1.
Wiratkapun C, Wongwaisayawan S, Pulpinyo K, Wibulpholprasert B. Metaplastic carcinoma of the breast: report of two cases in clinical, mammographic, and sonographic findings with histopathological correlation. J Thai Assn of Radiat Oncol [internet]. 2025 Aug. 2 [cited 2025 Dec. 26];10(1-3):7-14. available from: https://he01.tci-thaijo.org/index.php/jtaro/article/view/281448

Issue

Vol. 10 No. 1-3 (2004): January - December

Section

Original articles

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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

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