Multicentric secretory carcinoma of the breast in a 35-year-old woman: Mammographic appearance and the use of core biopsy in preoperative management

Core biopsy of the breast has been increasingly utilized as a first- line diagnostic approach for mammographic breast lesions, palpable breast lesions, or both. Core biopsy has been shown to be cost-effective in sparing a significant fraction of women an open surgical procedure and, in conjunction with radiologic imaging studies, can allow for planning of definitive therapy in women with malignant lesions (1-4). We present a case of multicentric secretory carcinoma of the breast in which the diagnosis was suggested by core biopsy. This case represents the first reported instance of core biopsy in secretory carcinoma, one of the rarest types of mammary carcinoma. We describe the mammographic appearance of the lesion, the appearance of the tissue core, and the use of core biopsy in the proper preoperative management of this rare, multicentric lesion.