Breast Fibromatosis: Radiologic-Pathologic Correlation.

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Radiology
• Pathology

Background:

• Fibromatosis of the breast is a rare, benign, locally infiltrative tumor.
• It presents as a painless, firm breast mass, potentially fixed to the pectoralis muscle.
• Etiology includes familial adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) gene mutations or sporadic somatic mutations/prior breast injury.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the clinical features, imaging findings, histopathology, and management of breast fibromatosis.
• To highlight the diagnostic challenges posed by fibromatosis on imaging.
• To discuss current and emerging treatment strategies.

Main Methods:

• Review of clinical presentations and patient history.
• Analysis of mammographic and ultrasound imaging characteristics.
• Discussion of histopathologic diagnostic criteria.
• Overview of treatment modalities and recurrence rates.

Main Results:

• Fibromatosis presents as a palpable breast mass, often mimicking breast cancer on mammography and ultrasound.
• Imaging findings include irregular, dense, spiculated masses (mammography) and hypoechoic, irregular masses with indistinct margins (ultrasound).
• Definitive diagnosis relies on core biopsy, as imaging is insufficient to differentiate from malignancy.

Conclusions:

• Breast fibromatosis is a challenging diagnosis due to its imaging characteristics resembling breast cancer.
• Core biopsy is essential for accurate diagnosis.
• While wide local excision is traditional, high recurrence rates necessitate exploration of alternative therapies.