Post breast conservation therapy imaging and local recurrence

Breast conservation therapy, which includes lumpectomy usually followed by breast irradiation, is an effective and commonly used therapy for women with resectable breast cancers. Although the rate of local recurrence has decreased over the years, these women continue to be at risk with an overall incidence of local recurrence of 1-2% per year for 10 years. The incidence of local recurrence varies according to age and receptor status. Studies have shown that early detection of in breast recurrence or second primaries reduces mortality. Mammography and clinical breast examination can be effective in the detection of recurrence. The efficacy of mammography, recommended intervals for screening and the various mammographic appearances of recurrence are addressed in this paper. Other breast imaging modalities including breast ultrasound and breast magnetic resonance imaging have less of a defined role. There is little data on ultrasound in this setting and the available data on magnetic resonance imaging after breast conservation therapy is evolving and will be presented. Finally, benign disease mimicking tumor recurrence and commonly missed appearance of tumor recurrence are discussed.