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Sarcoidosis presenting as spiculated breast masses
J J Gisvold1, T B Crotty, R E Johnson
1Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Mayo Clinic Rochester, MN 55905, USA.
Mayo Clinic Proceedings
|March 22, 2000
Summary
Sarcoidosis, a systemic inflammatory disease, can manifest in the breasts, mimicking cancer. This case highlights the importance of considering sarcoidosis in breast mass diagnosis.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Oncology
- Pathology
Background:
- A 67-year-old woman with a history of cardiomyopathy, diagnosed two years prior and attributed to sarcoidosis, presented for medical evaluation.
- Cardiomyopathy is a disease of the heart muscle that makes it harder for the heart to pump blood to the rest of the body.
Observation:
- Screening mammography revealed multiple spiculated masses in both breasts, which had progressively enlarged over the preceding three years.
- No axillary lymphadenopathy was evident on clinical examination.
Findings:
- Stereotactic-guided large-core needle biopsy was performed, with histological analysis revealing non-necrotizing granulomatous inflammation.
- The findings were consistent with sarcoidosis, confirming it as the underlying cause of the breast masses.
Implications:
- This case underscores the necessity of including sarcoidosis in the differential diagnosis for patients presenting with suspicious breast masses, particularly those with a known history of the condition.
- Accurate diagnosis of sarcoidosis in breast tissue is crucial for appropriate patient management and avoiding unnecessary oncological interventions.