A Spectrum of Metastases to the Breast: Radiologic-Pathologic Correlation

Abstract

Metastases to the breast from non-mammary origin are rare. The majority of these lesions appear as secondary manifestations of melanoma and lymphoma, followed by lung carcinomas, gynecological carcinomas, and sarcomas. There has been a steady trend of an increase in diagnosis of intramammary metastases owing to the current advances in imaging technology. Imaging features depend on the type of primary neoplasm and route of dissemination, some of which resemble primary breast cancer and benign breast entities. There are certain imaging features that raise the level of suspicion for metastases in the correct clinical context. However, imaging manifestations of intramammary metastases do not always comply with the known classic patterns. The aim of this review is to clarify these features, emphasizing radiologic-pathologic correlation and a multidisciplinary approach, since most cases are found in patients with advanced disease.