Cat scratch disease unveils hidden breast carcinoma: A diagnostic twist

Abstract

Cat scratch disease is a rare condition that can present with different clinical manifestations, including axillary lymphadenopathy. Here, we report the case of a 45-year-old female who presented with axillary lymphadenopathy attributable to a process of differential diagnosis to cat scratch disease.During the thorough investigation of her condition, a routine mammogram was performed, due to the unilateral axillary lymphadenopathy, revealing the presence of previously undiagnosed breast carcinoma in situ; in fact, a DCIS (invasive ductal carcinoma with spread to the ipsilateral axillary nodes) was incidentally found.This case highlights the importance of comprehensive differential diagnosis and a multidisciplinary approach in managing patients with atypical presentations of common diseases, given that other alarming but unrelated findings are visible.

Keywords

• Cat scratch disease
• Bartonella henselae
• Breast cancer
• Carcinoma in situ
• Lymph nodes
• Mammography