Computed tomography in suspected local breast cancer recurrence

The purpose of this prospective study was to test computed tomography (CT) in the evaluation of local breast cancer recurrence.

Our study population included 103 women referred for mamma CT examination for reasons of suspicious findings in a conservatively treated breast. In these patients, both clinical and conventional imaging studies (mammography, ultrasonography) features of local recurrences were non specific or suspicious. The patients underwent breast CT before and 90 s after intra-venous contrast medium administration. Criterion for cancer recurrence was detection of a lesion with an enhancement of 20 UH or more. The final diagnosis was based on operative histopathological findings or follow-up for over two years.

Local recurrence was confirmed on histology in 52 patients. CT identified 47 breast recurrent cancers. False-positive contrast enhancement was seen in five patients. CT showed 90% sensitivity, 90% specificity and 90% accuracy.

Although mamma CT examination proved to have a high diagnostic efficacy in evaluating breast cancer recurrence, routine computed tomography is unnecessary for most patients.