Imaging in pregnancy-associated breast cancer: a case report

PABC (pregnancy-associated breast cancer) is a rare condition that appears as a malignancy in 1 per 3000 pregnant women and is one of the most common cancers diagnosed during pregnancy or the postpartum period. If a woman who is pregnant or within a year after delivery has complaints of a palpable breast mass, it could undeniably be a malignant mass of the breast. That is why an ultrasound should be performed for all pregnant or lactating women who detect a palpable breast mass that persists for two or more weeks.

Our case report presents a pregnant 40-year-old previously healthy female at 36 weeks gestational age with a complaint of a palpable left breast mass for two months period. The initial ultrasound showed a breast tumour of irregular shape, solid and hypervascular mass.

Early diagnostics of PABC is of crucial importance in order to offer the best possible outcomes for the patient and foetus.