Sonographic and Pathologic Characteristics of Breast Cancers Detected Only by Ultrasound

Purpose: To evaluate the sonographic and pathologic characteristics of breast cancers detected only by ultrasound. Materials and Methods: From March 2009 to January 2010, 13 patients who diagnosed breast cancer by ultrasound (US) with negative mammographic results were included this study. The patients’ age distribution ranged from 45 to 69 years (mean age: 53.2 years). We reviewed the patients’ clinical, imaging and pathologic data. We analyzed sonographic finding of the breast masses, according to ACR BI-RADS - US lexicon classification. Results: 12 patients have grade 3 and 4 dense breasts on mammography and one patient have grade 2 breast density. Breast cancers seen only by US measured 4-12 mm (mean: 8.4 mm). 11 masses were assessed BIRADS category 4a and 2 masses were category 4c. The final surgical pathologic diagnosis were 7 invasive ductal carcinomas, 5 ductal carcinoma in situ and 1 invasive lobular carcinoma. The final pathologic stage were 5 stage 0, 7 stage I, 1 stage IIA. Conclusion: Breast cancers detected only by ultrasound tend to be small masses less than 1 cm without calcification. Patients usually underwent breast conserving surgery and be diagnosed node-negative invasive cancers.ope