J Breast Dis.  2016 Jun;4(1):24-27. 10.14449/jbd.2016.4.1.24.

The Results of Occult Breast Carcinoma Treated with Axillary Node Dissection Only: Five Cases Reports

• Kim Y
• Kim H
• Cho J
• Kwon S
• Yeo S
• Kang SH

• KMID: 2360683
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.14449/jbd.2016.4.1.24

Abstract

Herein, we report five cases of occult breast cancer treated with axillary node dissection only, without breast surgery or whole breast radio-therapy. The patients complained of a large, hard mass in the axillary area, although no breast masses were palpable. Biopsy of the axillary mass was performed in each case, and histological examination showed a metastatic carcinoma. No malignant findings were observed by mammography or ultrasonography. Magnetic resonance imaging and systemic examinations revealed no extramammary primary lesions. All patients underwent axillary lymph node dissection without breast surgery, and were administered adjuvant chemotherapy but not whole breast radiation therapy. The median follow-up period was 56 months (range, 15-241 months). The patients were all alive with no evidence of disease at the end of the follow-up period.

Keyword

Axilla; Breast; Lymph node excision; Unknown primary neoplasms

MeSH Terms

Axilla
Biopsy
Breast Neoplasms*
Breast*
Chemotherapy, Adjuvant
Follow-Up Studies
Humans
Lymph Node Excision
Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Mammography
Neoplasms, Unknown Primary
Ultrasonography