[Clinicopathological study of 9 cases presenting axillary masses only].

A clinicopathological study of 9 cases presenting axillary mass alone was reported. Histological diagnosis revealed 3 occult breast cancers, 2 apocrine gland adenocarcinomas of the skin, a carcinoma and a fibroadenoma in the axillary accessory breast, a neurogenic tumor in the axilla, and a benign lymphadenopathy. There were no clinical characteristics helpful in preoperative differential diagnosis. As the axilla includes the main lymphatic routes from the breast, the axillary tail of the breast and accessory breast, breast-associated tumors should be kept in mind in the management of patients with axillary mass as a sole clinical feature.