J Korean Soc Radiol.  2018 Oct;79(4):204-207. 10.3348/jksr.2018.79.4.204.

A Case Report of Male Occult Breast Cancer Manifested as Superior Vena Cava Syndrome

• Kang H
• Ha SM
• Ahn HS
• Kim HS
• Kim HJ

• KMID: 2421223
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3348/jksr.2018.79.4.204

Abstract

Occult breast cancer (OBC) is an asymptomatic condition. We report a case of OBC in a 72-year-old male patient who presented with severe dyspnea and upper extremity swelling. Computed tomography scan showed multiple lymph node enlargements in the supraclavicular and infraclavicular areas, and ultrasound scan showed multiple axillary lymph node enlargements. Based on the radiological findings, clinicians suspected lymphoma or disseminated metastasis from unknown primary malignancies. However, the axillary biopsy specimen revealed invasive breast cancer with hormonal receptor positivity.

MeSH Terms

Aged
Asymptomatic Diseases
Axilla
Biopsy
Breast Neoplasms*
Breast*
Dyspnea
Humans
Lymph Nodes
Lymphatic Metastasis
Lymphoma
Male*
Neoplasm Metastasis
Neoplasms, Unknown Primary
Superior Vena Cava Syndrome*
Ultrasonography
Upper Extremity
Vena Cava, Superior*

Figure

• 

  Fig. 1 A 72-year-old man who presented severe dyspnea and upper extremity swelling. CT shows (A) bilateral axillary lymph nodes, several enhanced intramuscular masses (arrows, A). Ultrasonography and CT reveal (B) enlarged abnormal lymph nodes in both axilla (B) and diffuse edematous changes (C), with dilated lymphatics in both breasts. Immunohistochemical staining showing positive expression of ER, 20% (× 200) (D) and Her-2 (× 400) (E), and hematoxylin and eosin (× 200) staining showing metastatic lymph nodes from invasive ductal carcinoma (F). CT = computed tomography, ER = Estrogen receptor, Her-2 = Human epidermal receptor 2

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