Rare Malignant Tumors of the Breast

Abstract

While the more common forms of breast cancer are well understood and recognized, there are many important rare malignancies that are less appreciated. Many of these cancers have imaging findings that, when understood, help to formulate a more educated differential diagnosis. In this article, the clinical features, imaging, and pathologic findings of rare breast malignancies will be discussed.

Unusual Breast Malignancies—Going A Step Ahead of Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System

“…There may just be diffuse skin thickening in secondary cases, making differentiation from postradiation changes difficult. 17 Extraskeletal Ewing's Sarcoma Extraskeletal Ewing's sarcoma of the breast is a rare, aggressive, malignant soft tissue tumor with a high recurrence rate and mainly occurs in adolescents and young adults between 10 and 30 years of age. The breast is uncommonly involved.…”

“…There may just be diffuse skin thickening in secondary cases, making differentiation from postradiation changes difficult. 17…”

“…The presence of calcification is atypical (except for ovarian, thyroid, and mucin producing cancers) and should prompt consideration of other differentials. 17 Unlike breast primaries, metastatic nodules elicit intense inflammatory response which can explain the thick echogenic rim surrounding a small central hypoechoic nidus that most of the metastatic nodules present with 34 ( Fig. 18 ).…”

A Case Series of Breast Metastases from Different Extramammary Malignancies and Their Literature Review

“…In summary, the differential diagnosis of ovarian metastatic breast cancer includes recognizable but unspecific imaging patterns [18]. In any case, making a definitive pathological diagnosis is essential, as primary breast cancer and extramammary metastases arising from a malignant tumor other than breast cancer require different therapies [16].…”