Palpable Lumps after Mastectomy: Radiologic-Pathologic Review of Benign and Malignant Masses

Area of Science:

• Radiology
• Oncology
• Pathology

Background:

• Mastectomy patients often lack universal mammography screening.
• Clinical breast examination and patient-detected masses are crucial for cancer detection.
• Diagnostic ultrasound is the first-line imaging for postmastectomy palpable masses.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review benign and malignant palpable masses in mastectomy patients.
• To describe multimodality diagnostic imaging evaluation for these masses.
• To correlate radiologic and pathologic findings and guide management.

Main Methods:

• Review of common and rare benign and malignant palpable masses post-mastectomy.
• Description of multimodality diagnostic imaging (US, mammography, MRI).
• Radiologic-pathologic correlation and management guidelines.

Main Results:

• Diagnostic US is the primary modality for palpable masses.
• Mammography may adjunctively confirm benign masses.
• MRI can improve sensitivity when initial evaluations are negative but clinical concern remains.

Conclusions:

• Familiarity with imaging appearances of benign and malignant masses aids diagnosis and avoids unnecessary biopsies.
• Multimodality imaging evaluation is crucial for accurate diagnosis and management of postmastectomy palpable abnormalities.
• Knowledge of imaging findings helps radiologists manage these entities effectively.