Discrepancy between Tumor Size Assessed by Full-Field Digital Mammography or Ultrasonography (cT) and Pathology (pT) in a Multicenter Series of Breast Metaplastic Carcinoma Patients

Abstract

Metaplastic breast cancer (BC-Mp) presents diagnostic and therapeutic complexities, with scant literature available. Correct assessment of tumor size by ultrasound (US) and full-field digital mammography (FFDM) is crucial for treatment planning. Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted on databases encompassing records of BC patients (2012–2022) at the National Research Institutes of Oncology (Warsaw, Gliwice and Krakow Branches). Inclusion criteria comprised confirmed diagnosis in postsurgical pathology reports with tumor size details (pT) and availability of tumor size from preoperative US and/or FFDM. Patients subjected to neoadjuvant systemic treatment were excluded. Demographics and clinicopathological data were gathered. Results: Forty-five females were included. A total of 86.7% were triple-negative. The median age was 66 years (range: 33–89). The median pT was 41.63 mm (6–130), and eight patients were N-positive. Median tumor size assessed by US and FFDM was 31.81 mm (9–100) and 34.14 mm (0–120), respectively. Neither technique demonstrated superiority (p > 0.05), but they both underestimated the tumor size (p = 0.002 for US and p = 0.018 for FFDM). Smaller tumors (pT1-2) were statistically more accurately assessed by any technique (p < 0.001). Only pT correlated with overall survival. Conclusion: The risk of underestimation in tumor size assessment with US and FFDM has to be taken into consideration while planning surgical procedures for BC-Mp.