Mammary carcinoma

Ductal carcinoma in situ accounts for 85-90% of breast cancers in situ i.e. approximately 15-20% of all breast cancers. Their incidence is increasing as a result of widespread screening. In 75 to 90% of cases these CISC are caused by microcalcifications. Our aim was to illustrate the different echomammographic aspects of ductal carcinoma in situ. The average age of our patients was 47 years. Mammography in all patients showed isolated foci of microcalcifications in 7 cases an isolated mass in 3 cases microcalcifications associated with a mass in 2 cases a focus of architectural distortion in 2 cases and focal asymmetry of density in one case. Breast ultrasound revealed a mass in 5 cases: hypoechoic lobulated with irregular contours (n=3) oval with micro-lobulated contours (n= 1) irregular with indistinct contours (n=1). CCIS is often sub-clinical and discovered by mammography in the form of microcalcifications which may have a benign appearance and pose a diagnostic problem. In this case their topography and regional or segmental distribution points towards the diagnosis.