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Inflammatory carcinoma breast

Case contributed by Garth Kruger
Diagnosis probable

Presentation

Treated for mastitis and has a poor response to therapy.

Patient Data

Age: 60 years
Gender: Female
mammography
  • diffuse swelling of the left breast with extensive edema of the skin and areola

  • skin thickening

  • increased density of the entire breast 

  • trabecular thickening 

  • inverted nipple

ultrasound

Ultrasound shows extensive skin edema and dilated lymphatic channels.

Case Discussion

Clinically inflammatory breast cancer is manifested as swollen and red breast without significant pain or pyrexia.

The typical imaging findings associated with inflammatory carcinoma of the breast are skin thickening and increased density as well as coarsened trabecular thickening. Diagnosis is by skin biopsy to confirm the involvement of the dermal lymphatics by infiltrating malignant cells.

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