Sonographic features of tumor in ectopic axillary breast tissue

Objective To observe the sonographic features of tumor developed in ectopic axillary breast tissue. Methods The sonographic features of five patients with tumor developed in ectopic axillary breast tissue confirmed by histopathology in Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University from January 2007 to March 2015 were retrospectively reviewed. Among five patients with tumor originated from ectopic axillary breast tissue, 3 had regional swelling and tenderness, 2 presented without pain. There was scant secretion from one tumor during lactation. There were 4 fibroadenomas and 1 carcinoma arising from ectopic axillary breast tissue confirmed by histopathology. Results The sonographic appearance of the five masses was homogeneous and hypoechoic. Four fibroadenomas arising from ectopic axillary breast tissue were oval-shaped, well-defined masses with mild or moderate vascularity on sonograms. One carcinoma arising from ectopic axillary breast tissue was an irregular, ill-defined mass with abundant vascularity. Ultrasonography showed that the breast-like tissue surrounded 3 fibroadenoma. This feature was not founded in 1 fibroadenoma and 1 carcinoma. Conclusion The breast-like tissue surrounding axillary mass and typical symptom are useful to the diagnosis of tumor developed in ectopic breast tissue. Key words: Ectopic breast; Neoplasms; Ultrasonography