Objective  To determine clinicopathologic features, diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis of patients with carcinomatous change of fibroadenoma (CCFA).

  Methods  Clinical and mammographic features, ultrasound, and prognostic and pathological results of 18 patients with CCFA were analyzed. The ultrasound data of 24 cases and mammographic data of 20 cases, which were confirmed by pathological diagnosis, were selected. Imaging data of CCFA (12 cases with ultrasound and 10 with molybdenum data) were also compared.

  Results  Ultrasound data showed a significant difference in the internal echo, shape, border, and peplos between the groups with CCFA and FA (P < 0.05). The mammographic results showed a significant difference (P < 0.05) in the border and the existence of small dense calcification between the two groups. However, no significant differences were observed in the shape and coarse calcification between the two groups (P > 0.05). CCFA was detected in the early stage, and the rate of axillary lymph node metastasis was low. The five-year DFS and OS was 91.67% in CCFA cases (11/12). The univariate analysis showed that the axillary lymph node metastasis of CCFA cases was statistically significant (P=0.000 3). An unfavorable prognosis in the cases with lymph node metastasis was further detected.

  Conclusion  Two-dimensional ultrasound and mammography are important in differentiating CCFA and FA. CCFA has a high five-year survival rate with favorable prognosis.