Large Non-enhancing Breast Cancer on Breast Magnetic Resonance Imaging: A Case Report

A 55-year-old female presented with vague symptoms in the lateral left breast. Digital breast tomosynthesis and breast ultrasound showed no focal lesion, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was subsequently performed. No suspicious enhancement was seen on MRI; in particular, no suspicious lesion was seen in the area of clinical concern. In view of persisting focal mastalgia and vague parenchymal changes in the symptomatic area on repeat targeted ultrasound, a core biopsy was performed. Final pathology after left mastectomy with axillary clearance showed a 42 mm grade 2 invasive ductal carcinoma. Ten out of 15 lymph nodes contained metastatic carcinoma. This case report presents a large ductal breast cancer with no enhancement on breast MRI. Factors that may contribute to the non-detection of breast cancers on MRI studies will be discussed.