Value of routine abdominal and lymph node sonography in the follow-up of breast cancer patients.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to review usefulness and intervals for abdominal sonography during the follow-up of breast cancer patients. Additionally, we assessed the value of regional lymph node sonography in patients with possible locoregional recurrence.


METHODS
Retrospectively, 2657 abdominal ultrasound examinations of 414 patients and 299 sonographic examinations of the regional lymph nodes in 227 patients after surgical treatment for breast cancer were evaluated.


RESULTS
Follow-up abdominal sonography revealed metastases in 6.8% of patients, and in 1% of examinations. There was no dependence on the initial T- or N-stage. At sonography of the regional lymph nodes in patients with suspicious palpatory findings metastatic nodes were found in 15.9% of patients, and in 12% of examinations.


CONCLUSIONS
Risk-adapted follow-up intervals for abdominal sonography cannot be proposed, regular examinations are not recommended. Lymph node sonography is useful and promising in the evaluation of suspicious palpatory findings.
Kauczor
H U
HU
Klinik mit Poliklinik für Radiologie, Universität Mainz, Germany.
Voges
E M
EM
Wieland-Schneider
C
C
Mitze
M
M
Thelen
M
M
D000008:Abdominal Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000556:secondary*; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008198:Lymph Nodes / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013997:Time Factors; D014463:Ultrasonography