Abstract
We encountered two cases of apocrine carcinoma of the breast; here, we report on the characteristics of apocrine carcinoma detected by ultrasonography (US). Case 1: A 60-year-old woman with a right breast tumor was initially diagnosed as having apocrine adenosis. No remarkable change was seen in the size of the mammary gland. Six years later, because of the interruption of the anterior border of the mammary gland, a fine high-echo spot, and a small amount of flow detected on her ultrasonograms, we suspected papillotubular carcinoma. Then, histopathological examination by US-guided core needle biopsy revealed apocrine carcinoma. Case 2: Screening mammography pointed out focal asymmetric density (FAD) in the right breast of a 60-year-old woman. Her lesion could be detected by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) but it could not be observed by US. Three years later, US showed an irregular and low-echoic mass. At first, scirrhous carcinoma was suspected, and then histopathological examination revealed intraductal apocrine carcinoma. These two patients with apocrine carcinoma were diagnosed on the basis of irregular and low-echoic masses as shown in the US. Both patients were followed up as initially having benign tumor. A few years later, US findings showed that there is a possibility of malignancy. US was found to be useful for long-term follow up.
