Invasive ductal carcinoma of the breast with large central acellular zones (ring carcinoma): imaging and clinical findings in eight cases.
To review the mammographic and ultrasound appearances in patients who have invasive ductal carcinoma with a central acellular zone (ring carcinoma), as this feature has been reported to be associated with a poorer outcome. Eight patients were identified with ring carcinomas. Two breast radiologists reviewed their mammograms and ultrasound images. Patient records were reviewed to assess outcome. All patients had lesions deep within the breast, adjacent to the chest wall, five lesions were incompletely visualised on mammography. The appearance was of a circumscribed or obscured mass, without microcalcification. Five patients had ultrasound demonstrating a solid well-circumscribed hypoechoic microlobulated lesion. In our series of patients who have a ring carcinoma of the breast, mammographic and ultrasound appearances were similar in all cases and lacked the typical features of malignancy.