The Utility of Ultrasound-guided Tru-cut Biopsy in the Diagnosis of Occult Breast Carcinoma Presenting as Ovarian Malignancy with Multiple Metastases: A Case of Unknown Primary

Abstract

This paper documents the utility of ultrasound-guided tru-cut biopsy in the diagnosis and subsequent management of a case of occult breast carcinoma presenting with multiple distant metastases in the absence of a primary breast lesion. She was initially diagnosed as primary ovarian malignancy with metastatic disease and subsequently underwent transvaginal ultrasound-guided tru-cut biopsy of the right ovarian mass. Histologic and immunohistochemical studies were consistent with a metastatic adenocarcinoma of breast origin. The patient underwent chemotherapy for primary breast carcinoma and has responded well.

Keywords: carcinoma of unknown primary; occult breast cancer; ovarian metastases; tru-cut biopsy; ultrasound.