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Changes in Mammary Gland Morphology and Breast Cancer Risk in Rats
Published on: October 16, 2010
Mammographic changes in postmenopausal women on hormonal replacement therapy
R C Marugg1, M J van der Mooren, J H Hendriks
1Department of Diagnostic Radiology, University Hospital Nijmegen St. Radboud, Geert Grooteplein Zuid 18, P. O. Box 9101, NL-6500 HB Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
European Radiology
|January 1, 1997
Summary
Hormonal replacement therapy (HRT) can increase mammographic fibroglandular tissue in postmenopausal women. Combination HRT showed a higher increase than oestrogen-only therapy, a change radiologists should recognize.
Area of Science:
- Radiology
- Endocrinology
- Oncology
Background:
- Mammographic breast patterns can change due to various factors.
- Hormonal replacement therapy (HRT) is used by many postmenopausal women.
- Understanding HRT's impact on mammography is crucial for accurate interpretation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of HRT on mammographic breast patterns in postmenopausal women.
- To determine if different HRT formulations have varying impacts.
- To inform radiologists about potential HRT-induced mammographic changes.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of mammograms from hospital-based and screening-center studies.
- Evaluation of 81 postmenopausal women before and after 1-2 years of HRT.
- Classification of glandular tissue using a modified Wolfe classification.
- Comparison of mammographic changes between HRT users and non-users, and between different HRT types.
Main Results:
- In the hospital-based study, 31% of women on combination HRT showed increased fibroglandular tissue versus 8.7% on oestrogen-only HRT (p=0.046).
- In the screening-based study, 14.3% of HRT users showed an increase, compared to none of the non-users (p=1.24 x 10(-10)).
- An increase in mammographically detectable fibroglandular tissue is expected in 14-25% of women after starting HRT.
Conclusions:
- HRT, particularly combination therapy, can lead to mammographically detectable increases in fibroglandular tissue.
- Radiologists must be aware of HRT as a potential cause for these mammographic changes.
- Routine patient questioning regarding HRT use is recommended for accurate mammogram interpretation.
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