Background: Breast cancer ranks globally as the most prevalent cause of female deaths. Papillary breast carcinoma (PBC), a rare subtype of breast cancer, presents distinct challenges in diagnosis and management because of its unique histopathological features.

Objectives: This study aims to determine the prevalence and main imaging findings of PBC in women attending a tertiary breast imaging centre.

Method: A retrospective review of mammography and ultrasound imaging findings of female patients with histologically proven PBC, referred to a tertiary breast imaging centre over a 5-year period, was conducted.

Results: The study included 102 female patients with a mean age of 53.8. Mammography detected masses in 93.02%, with calcifications in 41.2% and abnormal borders in 56.8%. Architectural distortion and asymmetry occurred in 27.5% and 28.4% respectively, both showing moderate correlation with PBC (r = 0.50, p = 0.009; r = 0.51, p = 0.0057). Ultrasound findings indicated irregular mass shapes (mean = 1.53), with hypoechoic patterns significantly associated with PBC (r = 0.40, p = 0.0013). Correlation analysis revealed strong associations between PBC and breast pain (r = 0.74, p < 0.0001), and erythema (r = 0.62, p < 0.0001). There was no significant association between the mammography and ultrasound findings (p = 0.495).

Conclusion: The findings underscore the value of using mammography and ultrasound in the diagnosis of PBC, as the two modalities offer complementary information.

Contribution: There is a paucity of data on the radiological findings of PBC in Africa. The current study prevalence mirrors global trends, highlighting the importance of ongoing surveillance and diagnostic accuracy.

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South African Journal of Radiology    |    ISSN: 1027-202X (PRINT)    |    ISSN: 2078-6778 (ONLINE)