Sonographic and pathological features of metaplastic squamous cell carcinoma of the breast: a case series

Abstract

Abstract Objective The aim of this study was to evaluate the sonographic features and to compare the sonographic findings with the pathologic features. Methods The sonographic and pathological features of all patients were retrospectively reviewed. Results All these 9 patients presented with a palpable breast mass first found by the patient before presentation. The median diameters were 3.67 cm. On two-dimensional imaging, 8 masses showed mixed echogenicity with both solid and cystic components, and only 1 mass showed hypoechoic. All the masses had irregular shapes. 1 mass had indistinct margin and 8 masses had microlobulated margins. Calcifications was seen in 1 mass. On color Doppler flow imaging, 8 masses had high vascularity with high resistance index; 5 masses had grade III blood flow signal; 3 masses had grade II blood flow signal. On histopathological examination, 5 masses were adenocarcinoma with squamous metaplasia, and 4 masses were pure SCC. On immunohistochemical staining, estrogen receptors (ER), progesterone receptors (PR) and human epidermal growth factor receptor (HER2) were negative in 5 masses. There were 2 patients with lymph node metastasis. Conclusions Most of the sonographic features of MSCC were mixed echogenicity with central cystic components, posterior echo enhancement, abundant vascularity with high resistance.