Focal breast lesions with benign appearances. Review of eight breast cancers with initial features of intramammary lymphnode

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to evaluate whether certain histological types of early breast cancer may share radiographic features with intramammary lymph nodes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The previous mammograms of patients with histologically proven breast cancer and lesions displaying the morphological features of intramammary lymph nodes were retrospectively reviewed. RESULTS: Retrospective evaluation demonstrated eight breast cancers of varying histological nature--mostly ductal carcinomas not otherwise specified (NOS)--whose early radiographic features were similar to intramammary lymph nodes. CONCLUSIONS: Although uncommon, a lesion with the radiographic features of an intramammary lymph node may hide an early breast cancer. No significant relationship exists between histological type and the presence of such features.