Pregnancy Associated Breast Cancer with Preferential Lactation to the Affected Breast

Abstract

Pregnancy associated breast cancer (PABC) is a challenging clinical and radiological diagnosis given the unique characteristics of the breast in this patient population. The prompt breast imaging work-up and possible biopsy of any palpable abnormality in pregnant and lactating patients is critical in reducing a delay in the diagnosis of breast cancer. Radiologists need to be familiarized with the sonographic, mammographic and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) features of PABC. Understanding the differential diagnosis of the most common etiologies of palpable lesions in pregnant and lactating women is crucial in making an accurate assessment. This article presents the case of a lactating women who was initially treated for mastitis and months later diagnosed with breast cancer. She was preferentially breastfeeding from the affected breast, contrary to what some authors have proposed as the “milk rejection sign”, a possible early indication of breast cancer.