Mucoepidermoid Carcinoma of the Breast

HomeRadiologyVol. 305, No. 1 PreviousNext Reviews and CommentaryFree AccessImages in RadiologyMucoepidermoid Carcinoma of the BreastJiao Bai, Guilin Wang Jiao Bai, Guilin Wang Author AffiliationsFrom the Departments of Radiology (J.B.) and General Surgery (Breast Surgery) (G.W.), The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, 25 Taiping Rd, Jiangyang District, Luzhou, Sichuan 646000, China.Address correspondence to G.W. (email: [email protected]).Jiao BaiGuilin Wang Published Online:Jul 5 2022https://doi.org/10.1148/radiol.220128MoreSectionsPDF ToolsImage ViewerAdd to favoritesCiteTrack CitationsPermissionsReprints ShareShare onFacebookTwitterLinked In A 63-year-old woman presented with a 10-year history of two palpable masses in her right breast. Physical examination revealed two mobile nontender masses corresponding to the palpable abnormalities. Mammography showed two oval circumscribed dense masses with no associated microcalcifications or architectural distortion (Figure, A). MRI of the breast showed two circumscribed cystic masses with intramural nodules (Figure, B, C). Core needle biopsy was performed for both masses, yielding metaplastic carcinoma. This type of carcinoma is resistant to chemotherapy. Given the absence of lymph node metastasis, mastectomy plus sentinel lymph node biopsy was performed. Postoperative results showed both tumors were intermediate-grade mucoepidermoid carcinoma. The patient recovered uneventfully from the surgery. At 6-month follow-up, the patient showed no sign of local recurrence or distant metastasis.Images in a 63-year-old woman with two palpable masses in her right breast. (A) Mammogram shows two oval well-defined hyperdense masses (arrows) with no associated microcalcifications or architectural distortion. (B) Sagittal T2-weighted MRI scan shows two heterogeneous high-signal-intensity cystic masses with fluid-fluid levels (arrows) and low-signal-intensity intramural nodules (*). (C) Axial contrast-enhanced T1-weighted MRI scan shows intense enhancement of the mural nodules (*) and rim enhancement of both masses (arrow) but no enhancement of the cystic portion.Download as PowerPointOpen in Image Viewer Mucoepidermoid carcinoma of the breast shares similar morphologic and molecular features with mucoepidermoid carcinoma of the salivary gland (1). Composed of mucinous, transitional, and squamous neoplastic cells in varying proportions, mucoepidermoid carcinoma mainly rises in the salivary gland and is rare in primary breast carcinoma (2). As a result, the understanding of its clinicopathologic and imaging features is limited. The imaging features of breast mucoepidermoid carcinoma are closely related to the pathologic grade. Low- and intermediate-grade mucoepidermoid carcinoma frequently manifests as oval circumscribed masses and mimics the appearance of benign tumors.Disclosures of conflicts of interest: J.B. No relevant relationships. G.W. No relevant relationships.References1. Yan M, Gilmore H, Harbhajanka A. Mucoepidermoid Carcinoma of the Breast with MAML2 Rearrangement: A Case Report and Literature Review. Int J Surg Pathol 2020;28(7):787–792. Crossref, Medline, Google Scholar2. Camelo-Piragua SI, Habib C, Kanumuri P, Lago CE, Mason HS, Otis CN. Mucoepidermoid carcinoma of the breast shares cytogenetic abnormality with mucoepidermoid carcinoma of the salivary gland: a case report with molecular analysis and review of the literature. Hum Pathol 2009;40(6):887–892. Crossref, Medline, Google ScholarArticle HistoryReceived: Jan 19 2022Revision requested: Jan 24 2022Revision received: Feb 8 2022Accepted: Feb 23 2022Published online: July 05 2022Published in print: Oct 2022 FiguresReferencesRelatedDetailsRecommended Articles Imaging Evaluation of Pediatric Parotid Gland AbnormalitiesRadioGraphics2018Volume: 38Issue: 5pp. 1552-1575Automated Three-dimensional Breast US for Screening: Technique, Artifacts, and Lesion CharacterizationRadioGraphics2018Volume: 38Issue: 3pp. 663-683Pictorial Review of Common and Uncommon Pediatric Breast LesionsRadioGraphics2022Volume: 43Issue: 1Imaging of Malignant Minor Salivary Gland Tumors of the Head and NeckRadioGraphics2020Volume: 41Issue: 1pp. 175-191Palpable Lumps after Mastectomy: Radiologic-Pathologic Review of Benign and Malignant MassesRadioGraphics2021Volume: 41Issue: 4pp. 967-989See More RSNA Education Exhibits A Labyrinthine Challenge: Imaging of Salivary Gland Pathologies in Pediatric PopulationDigital Posters2020Salivary Gland Cancers: Radiological Features with Histological CorrelationDigital Posters2019Non-mass Lesion on Ultrasound - The New Finding to IncorporateDigital Posters2022 RSNA Case Collection Mucoepidermoid carcinomaRSNA Case Collection2020Pituitary apoplexyRSNA Case Collection2021Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma RSNA Case Collection2021 Vol. 305, No. 1 Metrics Altmetric Score PDF download