Mammographically occult breast cancer. A pathologic and radiologic study

Area of Science:

• Radiology
• Oncology
• Pathology

Background:

• Mammography is a key tool for breast cancer screening.
• Some breast cancers are not detected by mammography, presenting diagnostic challenges.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the characteristics of mammographically occult breast cancers.
• To compare occult invasive ductal carcinomas and invasive lobular carcinomas.

Main Methods:

• Pathological and radiological review of 15 mammographically occult breast cancers.
• Review of 52 breast cancers presenting only microcalcifications.

Main Results:

• Most preinvasive cancers without significant calcifications were occult.
• Some invasive cancers in dense breasts were also occult.
• Mammographically occult invasive lobular carcinomas were larger on average than invasive ductal carcinomas.

Conclusions:

• Preinvasive and some invasive breast cancers can be mammographically occult.
• Histologic features of invasive lobular carcinoma may contribute to mammographic occultness.
• Management strategies need to consider occult cancers in symptomatic and asymptomatic patients.