Giant Cell Arteritis of the Breast

Abstract

Systemic vasculitis such as Wegener-s granulomatosis (WG), giant cell arteritis (GCA), and poliarteritis nodosa (PAN) may produce tumor-like masses in various organs. GCA may affect large vessels and also rarely present with primary visceral involvement in the breast. In these situations, GCA may confuse with malignancy because of characteristics such as tenderness, redness, and mass formation. This article presents a case report on an 87-year-old woman with palpable mass in her breast and was diagnosed as GCA in the biopsied lesion.