Breast Imaging Following Breast Conservation Therapy

Both surgery (lumpectomy) and radiation therapy used in breast conservation › therapy (BCT) produce changes in the breast These changes must be differentiated from in-breast tumor recurrence (IBTR) › Mammographic changes after BCT may include skin edema, parenchymal • edema, scar formation, fat necrosis, calcifications Mammographic findings of IBTR can be similar • Comparison with previous studies is extremely helpful • First mammogram on treated side is generally obtained 6 months after BCT • Repeating the mammogram at time when contralateral breast is due allows • short-term follow-up and gets both breasts onto same schedule Changes due to BCT generally become less prominent over time (except for • initial phase, when edema may mask appearance of cavity), whereas suspicious findings increase Liberal use of image-guided biopsy is encouraged • Breast Imaging Following Breast Conservation Therapy