Diagnostics (Mar 2024)

Arterial Calcification Disappearance in Breast Imaging: A Key Indicator for Transition to Invasive Ductal Carcinoma

  • Arisa Sato,
  • Tomoyuki Fujioka,
  • Iichiroh Onishi,
  • Emi Yamaga,
  • Leona Katsuta,
  • Kazunori Kubota,
  • Yuichi Kumaki,
  • Toshiyuki Ishiba,
  • Goshi Oda,
  • Ukihide Tateishi

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3390/diagnostics14070727
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 14, no. 7
p. 727

Abstract

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A woman in her 70s, initially suspected of having fibroadenoma due to a well-defined mass in her breast, underwent regular mammography and ultrasound screenings. Over several years, no appreciable alterations in the mass were observed, maintaining the fibroadenoma diagnosis. However, in the fourth year, an ultrasound indicated slight enlargement and peripheral irregularities in the mass, even though the mammography images at that time showed no alterations. Interestingly, mammography images over time showed the gradual disappearance of previously observed arterial calcification around the mass. Pathological examination eventually identified the mass as invasive ductal carcinoma. Although the patient had breast tissue arterial calcification typical of atherosclerosis, none was present around the tumor-associated arteries. This case highlights the importance of monitoring arterial calcification changes in mammography, suggesting that they are crucial indicators in breast cancer diagnosis, beyond observing size and shape alterations.

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