A case of non-palpable, multifocal, heterogeneous left breast carcinoma with mammographic presentation of clustered multiple microcalcifications

Abstract

Introduction. In 2018, the number of newly diagnosed breast carcinomas in the 28 countries of the European Union was 404 920, with an estimated annual incidence of 144.9/100 000. Figures have increased since the introduction of mammography screening and continue to rise with population aging. Mammograms may convey clinically occult breast cancer, which is associated in some cases with the presence of clustered microcalcifications. Case presentation. We present the case of a 64-year-old patient with multifocal invasive ductal left breast cancer and lobular carcinoma in situ, diagnosed after biopsy of a mammogram-marked area with clustered microcalcifications. The patient underwent subsequent radical surgical treatment. Conclusions. Clustered microcalcifications on mammograms may indicate clinically occult breast cancer. These lesions cause clinical and diagnostic difficulties due to the inability of ultrasound visualisation and the option to perform punch biopsy, as recommended by European Society for Medical Oncology. Excision biopsy by mammography-guided wire marking and pathological-anatomical examination of the entire resectate can detect tumour heterogeneity, which is important for the subsequent therapeutic strategy and prognosis of the disease.

Keywords

• clustered microcalcifications
• mammography-guided metallic marker
• heterogeneity of mammary gland tumour