Slow growing breast carcinoma

Case contributed by Garth Kruger
Diagnosis almost certain

Presentation

Routine mammograms almost 4 years apart. This case only makes sense if you see both images.

Patient Data

Age: 70 years
Gender: Female
mammography

The spiculated asymmetry is visible but almost hidden.

Four years later

mammography

The lesion is clearly visible now with long spiculated runners.

Case Discussion

Not all cancers grow quickly in the breast. In a very general sense, the postmenopausal cancers tend to grow more slowly than the premenopausal ones, all other factors being equal. Which is why some feel that we should screen annually above 40 and perhaps less frequently after 70...

As a general rule small, dense cancers with long runners turn out to be the tubular variety of IDC.

If it looks like a cancer it is still a cancer, even if it grows slowly. Do not assume that because a lesion has more or less stable volume it is innocuous.

How to use cases

You can use Radiopaedia cases in a variety of ways to help you learn and teach.

Creating your own cases is easy.

Updating… Please wait.

 Unable to process the form. Check for errors and try again.

 Thank you for updating your details.