(Radiographics. 1999;19:S53-S62.)
© RSNA, 1999
Mammographic Findings after Breast Conservation Therapy1
Rajesh Krishnamurthy, MD,
Gary J. Whitman, MD,
Carol B. Stelling, MD and
Anne C. Kushwaha, MD
1 From the Division of Diagnostic Imaging, Box 57, University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, 1515 Holcombe Blvd, Houston, TX 77030. Presented as a scientific exhibit at the 1998 RSNA scientific assembly. Received February 24, 1999; revision requested March 24 and received April 27; accepted April 28. Address reprint requests to G.J.W.
Breast conservation therapy for breast cancer involves lumpectomy or segmental mastectomy followed by radiation therapy. Masses, fluid collections, architectural distortion, scarring, edema, skin thickening, and calcifications are posttreatment findings that may mimic or mask local tumor recurrence. Despite the overlap between posttreatment changes and tumor recurrence, the two entities can usually be distinguished by the characteristic mammographic appearances of posttreatment sequelae and by comparing interval findings on successive studies. Postoperative masses and fluid collections slowly diminish in size and usually resolve by 1 year after surgery. Radiation-induced edema gradually resolves; increasing edema may be due to recurrent cancer. Postsurgical scarring usually appears as a poorly marginated soft-tissue mass with interspersed radiolucent areas. Recurrent cancer is usually seen as a mass with no central radiolucent areas. Pleomorphic and granular microcalcifications are important markers for recurrent cancer and can usually be distinguished from the thick, calcified plaques and elongated dystrophic calcifications associated with scarring.
Index Terms: Breast neoplasms, postoperative, 00.455
Copyright © 1999 by the Radiological Society of North America.
