Ultrasound features of retroareolar breast carcinoma

Abstract Purpose The goal of this study was to report the ultrasound features of retroareolar breast carcinoma (RABC). Materials and methods The ultrasound examinations of the breast of 53 women with RABC were reviewed. They had a mean age of 67.2 years ± 13.4 (standard deviation [SD]) (range: 46–85 years). RABC were defined as carcinomas located less than 2 cm from the nipple on mammogram. Results Among the 53 RABC, 42 (42/53; 79%) were invasive ductal carcinomas, 6 (6/53; 11%) were invasive lobular carcinomas, 4 (4/53; 8%) were ductal carcinomas in situ and 1 (1/53; 2%) was intracystic papillary carcinoma. The mean size of RABCs was 22.5 mm ± 8.2 (SD) (range: 7.2–54.8 mm). RABCs presented as a mass (53/53; 100%) with an irregular shape (44/53; 83%), a non-parallel orientation (37/53; 70%), non-circumscribed margins (50/53; 94%), a hypoechoic echotexture (46/53; 87%,) posterior attenuation (45/53; 85%) and increased vascularity (37/53; 70%) on Doppler ultrasound. Conclusion On ultrasound, RABC have a presentation similar to that of breast carcinoma in other locations.