58. Mastitis carcinomatosa

Organ: Breast

Description:

The surface of the breast is irregular, firm and brownish discoloured.

Diagnosis: Mastitis carcinomatosa/inflammatory carcinoma

Causes:

Breast carcinoma

Theory:

Mastitis carcinomatosa is a clinical manifestation of any primary breast carcinoma. It develops as tumor cells infiltrate lymphatic vessels, similar to lymphangitis carcinomatosa. The result is a sterile inflammation of the breast.

Unlike other types of breast cancer these cases are not treated with mastectomy due to the high risk of cancer spreading during the surgical procedure. Instead, irradiation and chemotherapy are used.