Mammographic findings of recurrent breast cancer after lumpectomy and radiation therapy: comparison with the primary tumor.
OBJECTIVE
To compare the mammographic findings of recurrent breast cancer with those of the primary tumor in patients who underwent lumpectomy and radiation therapy.


METHODS
Mammograms were reviewed of primary and recurrent tumors in 25 patients (26 lesions). Mammographic appearance, location, and histopathologic characteristics were retrospectively compared between primary and recurrent tumors.


RESULTS
Primary and recurrent tumors were mammographically similar in 21 (81%) of the 26 lesions. Of 14 primary tumors with calcifications, 12 (86%) recurred with calcifications, and of the 12 masses, nine (75%) recurred as masses. Recurrent tumors that occurred in the lumpectomy quadrant were more often similar in mammographic appearance to the primary tumor (20 of 22 tumors) than those in other quadrants (one of four tumors) (P < .02).


CONCLUSIONS
After conservative treatment of breast cancer, the majority of recurrent tumors appear to be mammographically similar to primary tumors. It is prudent to review preoperative mammograms during follow-up of patients after lumpectomy and radiation therapy.
Philpotts
L E
LE
Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520-8042, USA.
Lee
C H
CH
Haffty
B G
BG
Lange
R C
RC
Tocino
I
I
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001941:Breast Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000601:surgery; D002114:Calcinosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D002278:Carcinoma in Situ / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000601:surgery; D018270:Carcinoma, Ductal, Breast / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008327:Mammography; D015412:Mastectomy, Segmental; D008875:Middle Aged; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D012189:Retrospective Studies