Diabetic mastopathy: a breast carcinoma mimic

Atypical sonographic presentation of diabetic mastopathy: A case report and literature review

Diabetic fibrous mastopathy (DFM) is a relatively rare condition that most often occurs in insulin-dependent diabetics with a characteristic hypoechoic appearance on ultrasound (US). DFM frequently poses a diagnostic challenge in radiology due to malignant imaging similarities, and core needle biopsy is often required. If DFM is in the differential, fine-needle aspiration should not be considered as it will likely be non-diagnostic due to insufficient sampling and excisional biopsy should be avoided as it may worsen the disease process. Therefore, high clinical suspicion of DFM is important for diagnostic intervention consideration. We report the case of a 57-year-old who presented with a firm breast lump which on mammography was seen as a new 5.8 by 5.3 cm global asymmetry. US was performed and a diffuse area of increased echogenicity without posterior shadowing was identified. Given the appearance and patient history, DFM was considered unlikely. However, core needle biopsy revealed diabetic lymphocytic mastopathy consistent with DFM. Even though DFM is uncommon and has been reported to have a specific US appearance, it should be included in the differential for a palpable breast lump in any diabetic patient regardless of glucose control or atypical imaging findings.

Diabetic mastopathy in an elderly woman misdiagnosed as breast cancer: A case report and review of the literature

BACKGROUND

Diabetic mastopathy is a rare benign disease in clinical practice that mainly occurs in young and middle-aged women with type 1 diabetes. It has also been reported that this disease can be found in patients with type 2 diabetes and other autoimmune diseases, such as Hashimoto's thyroiditis, as well as in men. The pathogenesis of diabetic mastopathy is not yet clear, and it is easily confused with breast cancer due to their similar clinical manifestations and imaging features.

CASE SUMMARY

A 69-year-old female patient was admitted because of painless breast masses, with a history of type 2 diabetes. The imaging and physical examination suggested a high risk of breast cancer. Further histopathological analysis showed dense lymphocytes infiltrating around the lobules of the breast, and extensive fibrosis of the surrounding stroma. Finally, diabetic mastopathy was diagnosed.

CONCLUSION

The diagnosis of diabetic mastopathy in elderly patients with painless breast masses is difficult to distinguish from breast cancer, and its imaging manifestations are not specific.