Breast cancer: mammographic and sonographic findings after augmentation mammoplasty

The authors retrospectively reviewed 11 cases of breast cancer in patients who had undergone augmentation mammoplasty. The mammogram or sonogram was abnormal in 10 patients, including six with an abnormal mammographic density or ultrasound study and four with calcifications. One patient had dense breasts and no suspicious findings at mammography. In four patients without palpable findings in the breast, the malignancy was initially detected by means of mammography. In five of six patients with a palpable breast mass, special mammographic views and sonography were helpful in evaluating the mass. Lymph nodes were not involved in six (60%) of the 10 patients with ductal carcinomas. The detection of breast cancer in the augmented breast by means of mammography is possible, even in patients without palpable findings. Modified-position views and sonography may be helpful in evaluating palpable masses. Patients with implants who develop cancer do not necessarily present at a more advanced stage.