The axillary mass in occult breast carcinoma. Case reports and overview

The presentation of mammary carcinoma as an axillary mass is quite rare (0.5%). "Occult" breast cancer will be defined as nonpalpable breast carcinoma presenting as an axillary mass. This article presents two such patients and reviews the available literature. The patients are of similar age and have breast lesions at similar sites as "nonoccult" breast carcinoma. However, the prognosis is somewhat better than that of "nonoccult" breast cancer perhaps due to early histopathology and small primary size. This subject is reviewed in terms of case reports, clinical findings, radiographic findings, pathologic findings, management, treatment, prognosis, and a flowchart for surgical work-up.