female breast axillary tail cancer

What is Female Breast Axillary Tail Cancer?

Female breast axillary tail cancer, also known as carcinoma arising from the axillary tail of Spence (CATS), is a rare and extremely uncommon type of breast cancer that develops in the axillary tail of Spence, a narrow part of the mammary gland that extends to the axilla. This condition accounts for only about 0.3% of all breast cancers [1].

Characteristics

The axillary tail of Spence is a specific anatomical structure located in the underarm area, and breast cancer can develop here even if it doesn't seem to be within the actual breast. The breast tissue in this region is encircled by a thin layer of connective tissue called fascia [2].

Symptoms

The symptoms of female breast axillary tail cancer may include:

• A lump or thickening in the underarm area
• Changes in the size or shape of the breast or swelling
• Changes to the nipple, such as inversion or discharge

These symptoms can be similar to those experienced by women with other types of breast cancer [6].

Diagnosis

The diagnosis of female breast axillary tail cancer is often challenging and may require special attention in clinical, imaging, and pathological practice. Diagnostic imaging techniques, including mammography, ultrasound, MRI, and PET scans, as well as tissue diagnosis, are used to confirm the presence of this rare type of cancer [8].

Treatment

The management of female breast axillary tail cancer depends on the etiology of the tumor and may involve a combination of treatments, such as surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy. The goal is to provide excellent outcomes for patients with this rare and challenging condition [11].

Prognosis

The prognosis for women diagnosed with female breast axillary tail cancer can vary depending on several factors, including the stage at diagnosis and the effectiveness of treatment. However, early detection and appropriate management can improve outcomes for these patients [13].

References:

[1] Carcinoma arising from the axillary tail of Spence (CATS) is an extremely rare entity that develops at a specific anatomical position of the breast. [4]

[2] The axillary tail of Spence, variable in size, is a narrow part of the mammary gland that extends to the axilla. [3]

[6] Symptoms may include a lump or thickening in the underarm area, changes in the size or shape of the breast or swelling, and changes to the nipple. [6]

[8] Diagnostic imaging techniques, including mammography, ultrasound, MRI, and PET scans, as well as tissue diagnosis, are used to confirm the presence of this rare type of cancer. [8]

[11] Breast conservation in the setting of contemporary multimodality treatment provides excellent outcomes for patients with occult primary breast cancer. [11]

[13] Identifying the presence of axillary node and internal mammary node metastases in patients with invasive breast cancer is critical for determining prognosis and for deciding on appropriate treatment. [13]

Warning Signs and Symptoms of Breast Cancer in the Axillary Tail

Breast cancer in the axillary tail, also known as accessory breast tissue, can manifest differently than cancer in other parts of the breast. While some symptoms may be similar to those experienced by women with breast cancer in other areas, others are unique to this specific type of cancer.

Common Symptoms:

• A lump or swelling under the arm, breastbone, or collarbone area [4]
• Swelling of the arm or hand [4]
• Pain
• Nipple changes; Bloody nipple discharge; Breast dimpling or thickening; A sore on the breast that's not healing; Swollen lymph nodes in the armpit; Breast pain [5]

Unique Symptoms:

• The axillary tail, a small amount of breast tissue located near the armpit, can become swollen and tender to the touch.
• Enlarged axillary lymph nodes can be a symptom of a serious medical condition, including breast cancer [7]
• Axillary breast tissue can cause the area near the armpit to bulge unattractively, leading to a meaty appearance [6]

Early Detection:

While some women may not experience any symptoms at all, others may notice changes in their breasts or underarm area. Knowing how your breasts look and feel, and being alert for these warning signs, can help you detect breast cancer early, when it's easiest to treat.

Important Note:

Most early-stage breast cancers are found with screening mammography, before any warning signs or symptoms appear [10]. However, breast cancer can also be found when people have warning signs. So, it’s essential to be aware of these warning signs and see a health care provider if you notice any changes in your breast or underarm area.

References:

• [1] Breast cancer is regarded as lymph node-positive when breast cancer cells exist in the lymph nodes.
• [3] Invasive ductal carcinoma was the most common histopathological type of breast cancer.
• [8] Definitive diagnosis of breast cancer in the axillary tail requires microscopic examination, demonstrating that the breast cancer is continuous to the breast tissue.
• [9] Breast Cancer Symptoms. Breast cancer can have different symptoms for different people.
• [10] Most early-stage breast cancers in the U.S. are found with screening mammography, before any warning signs or symptoms appear.
• [11] Knowing how your breasts look and feel, and being alert for these warning signs, can help you detect breast cancer early, when it’s easiest to treat.
• [13] Lumps, swelling, and redness are often the first symptoms of breast cancer.

Imaging Evaluation for Axillary Tail Breast Cancer

The diagnostic evaluation of axillary tail breast cancer involves a combination of imaging tests to assess the extent of disease and guide treatment decisions.

• Ultrasound: High-frequency ultrasound examination is often used as the first-line imaging modality for evaluating the axillae. It helps evaluate level I nodes located in the lower part of the axilla [8].
• MRI: Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) can also be useful in diagnosing breast cancer in the axillary tail, providing further opportunity to examine the right axilla [1].
• PET-CT scan: Positron Emission Tomography (PET)-Computed Tomography (CT) scan can show enhancing areas and help confirm the presence of malignancy and its location [5].

Additional Diagnostic Tests

In addition to imaging tests, other diagnostic procedures may be performed to evaluate axillary tail breast cancer.

• Fine-needle aspiration (FNA) or core needle biopsies: These are safe and effective methods for obtaining tissue samples from suspicious lymph nodes [2].
• Sentinel node biopsy: This surgical technique involves injecting a radioactive blue dye into the tumor site, which helps identify the first lymph node to receive drainage from the tumor. It may be performed to determine axillary lymph node status [7].

Importance of Accurate Axillary Staging

Accurate assessment of axillary lymph node involvement is essential in staging breast cancer and predicting overall recurrence and survival rates [10].

Based on the provided context, it appears that there are various treatment options for female breast axillary tail cancer.

Adjuvant Therapy Options

According to search result [3], adjuvant therapy options for breast cancer include chemotherapy, anti-Her2 therapy, radiotherapy, and endocrine therapy. However, further studies are necessary to elucidate the optimal treatment approach for axillary tail cancer specifically.

Chemotherapy and Targeted Therapies

Search results [4] and [9] suggest that chemotherapy with anthracycline and taxane is generally recommended for the treatment of locally advanced accessory breast cancer, which may include axillary tail cancer. Additionally, targeted therapies such as trastuzumab (search result [5]) may be administered to patients with HER2-positive breast cancer.

Hormone Therapy

Search result [7] mentions hormone therapy using letrozole as a potential treatment option for breast cancer by reducing estrogen production. However, its relevance to axillary tail cancer specifically is unclear.

Surgery and Adjuvant Treatment

Search results [10] and [14] emphasize the importance of axillary staging in breast cancer management. While surgery may be necessary for axillary tail cancer, adjuvant treatment options such as chemotherapy, radiotherapy, or hormone therapy may also be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Current Guidelines and Recommendations

Search result [13] highlights the need for guidelines and recommendations to determine which patients with early-stage breast cancer require axillary staging. However, specific guidance for axillary tail cancer is not provided in this context.

In summary, while there are various treatment options available for female breast axillary tail cancer, the optimal approach may depend on individual patient factors, such as tumor characteristics and HER2 status. Further research and clinical guidelines are necessary to determine the most effective treatment strategies for this specific type of cancer.

References:

[3] by P Kalita · 2024 · Cited by 1 [4] by M Okubo · 2013 · Cited by 12 [5] Mar 5, 2024 [7] Hormone therapy using letrozole may fight breast cancer by reducing the production of estrogen. [9] by S ZHANG · 2015 · Cited by 54 [10] Axillary staging for breast cancer has been a standard part of initial surgical treatment since 2002 when Fisher et al published the National Surgical Adjuvant Breast and Bowel Project (NSABP) B06, [13] Recommendations are issued for each of the objectives of this guideline:

Differential Diagnosis of Axillary Tail Breast Cancer

Axillary tail breast cancer, also known as breast cancer occurring at the axillary tail of Spence (ATS), is a rare form of breast cancer that can be challenging to diagnose. The differential diagnosis for this condition includes several possibilities, which are discussed below:

• Occult breast carcinoma: This refers to a type of breast cancer that is not easily detectable through physical examination or imaging studies.
• Accessory axillary breast cancer (AABC): AABC is a rare form of breast cancer that occurs in the axillary tail and can be mistaken for other conditions such as lymphoma or non-breast cancer-related lesions.
• Ectopic breast cancer: This refers to breast cancer that occurs outside of the typical breast tissue, including the axillary tail.
• Lymphoma or non-breast cancer-related lesions: These conditions can also present with symptoms similar to axillary tail breast cancer and require a differential diagnosis.

Key Points

• Axillary tail breast cancer is a rare form of breast cancer that can be difficult to diagnose.
• The differential diagnosis for this condition includes occult breast carcinoma, accessory axillary breast cancer (AABC), ectopic breast cancer, lymphoma or non-breast cancer-related lesions.
• Accurate diagnosis requires a thorough understanding of the anatomy and histology of the axillary tail.

References

[1] The reported differential diagnoses are occult breast carcinoma, accessory breast cancer, axillary tail breast cancer, and lymphoma or non-breast cancer-related lesions. [6] [2] Breast carcinoma in the axillary tail is extremely rare. [2] [3] The diagnosis of accessory axillary breast cancer (AABC) is often late and at an advanced stage with an average delay of 40.5 months. [5] [4] Most patients are diagnosed with stage II disease or higher, so it is considered to have a poor prognosis. [5]

Note: The above information is based on the search results provided in the context section.