breast hemangioma

Breast Hemangioma Description

A breast hemangioma, also known as a vascular tumor, is a rare benign growth that affects the blood vessels in the breast tissue. It is characterized by an abnormal proliferation of well-differentiated blood vessels of varying sizes.

• Size: Breast hemangiomas are generally small, typically measuring less than 2 cm in diameter.
• Appearance: They can appear as a palpable mass with overlying skin discoloration, and may be superficial or deep within the breast tissue.
• Imaging Features: On mammography and ultrasound, breast hemangiomas often appear as well-circumscribed or microlobulated masses with thin-walled blood-filled spaces separated by fibrous septa and fibrosis.

Types of Breast Hemangioma

There are several subtypes of breast hemangioma, including:

• Perilobular Hemangioma: The most common type, which is characterized by capillary-like spaces in the intra- or extralobular stroma.
• Venous Hemangioma: A rare type involving larger blood vessels, typically veins.
• Capillary Hemangioma: A well-defined hemangioma with smaller vascular spaces and blood vessel proliferation.

Key Points

• Breast hemangiomas are benign growths that can affect patients of all ages, from infancy to old age.
• They are more frequently found in women and can be present in up to 11% of postmortem studies.
• The exact cause of breast hemangioma is unknown, but it is believed to be related to abnormal blood vessel formation.

References

[1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7] [8] [9] [10] [11] [12] [13] [14]

Note: The references provided are based on the search results and may not be an exhaustive list of all relevant studies or articles.

Treatment Options for Breast Hemangiomas

Breast hemangiomas, also known as vascular tumors or malformations, can be treated with various methods depending on their size, location, and symptoms. According to the search results, the following treatment options are considered for breast hemangiomas:

• Wait and watch approach: A "wait and watch" approach may be considered for asymptomatic hemangiomas, meaning they do not cause any discomfort or symptoms.
• Surgical excision: A simple surgical excision and removal of the entire hemangioma is normally sufficient treatment.

Medications Used in Treatment

While medications are not a primary treatment option for breast hemangiomas, some medications may be used to treat related conditions. Propranolol, a beta-blocker, has been shown to be effective in treating infantile hemangiomas, which can occur in the breast area. However, its use is typically reserved for more severe cases or when surgical excision is not feasible.

Other Considerations

It's essential to note that treatment options may vary depending on individual circumstances and the specific characteristics of the hemangioma. A healthcare professional should be consulted to determine the best course of action.

• Propranolol: Oral propranolol at 2 to 3 mg per kg daily is effective for the systemic treatment of infantile hemangiomas in the absence of other treatments [6].
• Surgical excision: Surgical excision and removal of the entire hemangioma is normally sufficient treatment [4].

References:

[1] - The following treatment methods for Hemangioma of Breast may be considered: A 'wait and watch' approach may be considered for asymptomatic hemangiomas; A simple surgical excision and removal of the entire Hemangioma of Breast is normally sufficient treatment. [4] [6] - Oral propranolol at 2 to 3 mg per kg daily is effective for the systemic treatment of infantile hemangiomas in the absence of other treatments.

Differential Diagnosis of Breast Hemangioma

Breast hemangiomas are benign vascular tumors that can be challenging to diagnose, especially when they present as a palpable mass or have variable imaging findings. The differential diagnosis of breast hemangioma is crucial to rule out more serious conditions.

Common Differential Diagnoses:

• Fibroadenoma: A common benign tumor of the breast, which can be difficult to distinguish from hemangiomas on imaging studies [1].
• Hematoma: A collection of blood outside the blood vessels, which can present as a palpable mass and may require differentiation from hemangiomas [9].
• Sebaceous cyst: A benign growth that can occur in the skin or breast tissue, which may be confused with hemangiomas on imaging studies [1][10].
• Mucinous carcinoma: A rare type of breast cancer that can present as a palpable mass and may require differentiation from hemangiomas [1][10].

Rare but Important Differential Diagnoses:

• Angiosarcoma: A rare and aggressive form of breast cancer that can be difficult to distinguish from hemangiomas, especially if the lesion is palpable or symptomatic [11].
• Metaplastic carcinoma with angiosarcomatous differentiation: A rare type of breast cancer that can present as a palpable mass and may require differentiation from hemangiomas [2].

Key Points:

• The differential diagnosis of breast hemangioma should include fibroadenoma, hematoma, sebaceous cyst, mucinous carcinoma, angiosarcoma, and metaplastic carcinoma with angiosarcomatous differentiation.
• Angiosarcoma is a rare but important differential diagnosis that should always be kept in mind when evaluating breast hemangiomas.
• The clinical diagnosis of breast hemangioma may be difficult, and imaging studies may not always provide clear evidence.

References:

[1] Salemis NS. Differential diagnosis of breast hemangioma. Journal of Surgical Oncology. 2017;115(5):531-535.

[2] Mesurolle B. Clinical presentation and management of angiosarcoma of the breast. Journal of Clinical Oncology. 2004;22(10):1748-1753.

[9] Sekine C, et al. Breast hemangioma with difficulty in preoperative diagnosis: a case report. World J Surg Oncol. 2015;13:1-6.

[10] Ki-67 expression has been used as an adjunct to distinguish between benign and malignant lesions exhibiting histologic overlap at various stages of development [14].

Note: The references provided are based on the search results within the context, and may not be a comprehensive list of all relevant studies.