Clinical and imaging characteristics of intraductal papillary neoplasms of the breast: a prospective trial.

Abstract

Background: Intraductal papillary neoplasms (IPNs) often have a similar clinical and imaging presentation, making them difficult to diagnose. We designed this study to refine and compare intraductal papillary neoplasms' clinical and imaging characteristics.

Methods: This study included a total of 154 patients with a postoperative diagnosis of IPNs and collected their clinical, imaging, and pathological data. We compared the clinical and imaging characteristics of benign, atypical hyperplasia, and malignant lesions. We also compared the diagnostic efficacy of ultrasound and mammography.

Results: The mean age of malignant patients was 57 years old, which was significantly higher than that in the other groups (48 years in the benign group and 47 years in the atypical hyperplasia group). The proportion of patients with malignant lesions clinically presenting as palpable masses (31.3%) was significantly higher than that of benign lesions (8.6%) (P < 0.05). The proportion of malignant lesions presenting in the periphery (≥ 3 cm from the nipple) was 40.6% compared to 22.4% for benign (P < 0.05). In ultrasonography, characteristics that showed statistically significant differences between benign and malignant lesions were the shape of the mass and calcification (P < 0.05). On mammography, differences were found in mass shape, calcification, and density of masses and glands (P < 0.05).

Conclusions: Clinical features such as age, symptoms, lesion location, and imaging characteristics such as shape, calcification, mass, and density may help to differentiate the classifications of IPNs.

Trial registration: This study was registered at ClinicalTrials.gov on 12/06/2020 (identifier: NCT04429269).