Mammographic evaluation of the postsurgical and irradiated breast

Mammography is important in women who elect lumpectomy and radiation therapy for breast carcinoma: to record the preoperative state, to assess the completeness of resection, and to detect recurrences and second primaries. Mammography of these patients, however, is difficult since surgery and irradiation may cause changes simulating carcinoma. This article describes the findings in the postsurgical and irradiated breast and the difficulty of differentiating the changes from recurrent carcinoma. It also illustrates the findings in recurrences and second primaries.