Objective:

To investigate the ultrasonography and mammography characteristics and pathological features of typical medullary breast carcinoma (TMBC) in China.

Methods:

A retrospective analysis of imaging characteristics and pathological features of 80 TMBC patients during January 2004 and April 2011 was conducted. All patients accepted the examinations of ultrasonography and mammography before breast radical operation.

Results:

Mammography found more masses with calcification than ultrasonography. The highest grade of breast masses according to Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System (BI-RADS) classification scored above

grade 4 when ultrasonography was combined with mammography. Ultrasonography detected more enlarged ipsilateral axillary lymph nodes (ALNs) than mammography before operation

but only 48.4% patients with enlarged ALNs were confirmed to have metastasis by postoperative pathology. Up to 87.5% patients with enlarged ALNs found both by ultrasonography and mammography were confirmed to have metastasis. When the primary tumors were located in the upper outer quadrant

only 83.3% patients with enlarged ALNs were confirmed to have metastasis. When estrogen receptor (ER) was negative

only 85.7% patients with enlarged ALNs were confirmed to have metastasis.

Conclusion:

TMBC patients were not easily missed by combination of ultrasonography and mammography before operation. Enlarged ipsilateral ALNs shown by both ultrasonography and mammography indicate the high possibility of metastasis

which is needed to be cautious for patients with primary tumors located in the upper outer quadrant or with negative ER.