Occult Breast Cancer Presenting Research Articles

Occult breast cancer and axillary mass.

Occult breast cancer presenting with axillary metastases is an unusual presentation and can be a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge. A comprehensive work-up, including mammogram, sonogram, magnetic resonance imaging, and even pathologic examination of the mastectomy specimen may not disclose the primary tumor in up to one third of patients. Traditionally, occult breast cancer is treated with total mastectomy and axillary dissection, but accumulating data suggest that primary breast irradiation following axillary dissection may provide an equivalent survival with the advantage of breast conservation. Occult breast cancer patients are eligible for adjuvant chemotherapy and radiation as stage II/ III node-positive patients would be treated. Overall, the prognosis for occult breast cancer is equivalent to or slightly better than staged counterparts with detectable primary breast tumors.

Occult Breast Cancer: A Case Report and Review of the Literature.

We report a case of a 44-yar-old woman with occult breast cancer presenting as an axillary mass in whom sonography was able to detecct an involved internal mammary node also, thus helping to establish a diagnosis of breast cancer. The patient underwent extended radical mastectomy, including internal mammary lymphadenectomy. Microscopy of the removed specimen failed to find a primary breast cancer lesion. Metastatic cancer was seen in the palpable axillary node, another resected axillary node and a removed internal mammary node. The estrogen and progesterone receptor analysis of the axillary node were negative. Since occult breast cancer was found highly potential for metastasizing to the infraclavicular or internal mammary nodes, it is reasonable to treat such patients in the same way as those with palpable breast cancer, with adjuvant chemotherapy.

Management of occult breast cancer presenting as an axillary metastasis

The presentation of cancer in an axillary lymph node without an obvious primary site is a diagnostic challenge. This is particularly true in female patients. A diagnosis of metastatic adenocarcinoma consistent with occult breast primary requires further prompt therapy.

Two Cases of Occult Breast Cancer Presenting as an Axillary Mass

Two Cases of Occult Breast Cancer Presenting as an Axillary Mass