Imaging surveillance of patients with breast cancer after primary treatment: current recommendations

Korean J Radiol. 2015 Mar-Apr;16(2):219-28. doi: 10.3348/kjr.2015.16.2.219. Epub 2015 Feb 27.

Abstract

Women who have been treated for breast cancer are at risk for second breast cancers, such as ipsilateral recurrence or contralateral metachronous breast cancer. As the number of breast cancer survivors increases, interest in patient management and surveillance after treatment has also increased. However, post-treatment surveillance programs for patients with breast cancer have not been firmly established. In this review, we focus on the imaging modalities that have been used in post-treatment surveillance for patients with breast cancer, such as mammography, ultrasonography, magnetic resonance imaging, and positron emission tomography, the effectiveness of each modality for detecting recurrence, and how they can be applied to manage patients.

Keywords: Breast cancer; MRI; Mammography; Recurrence; Surveillance; Ultrasound.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Breast Neoplasms / diagnostic imaging*
  • Breast Neoplasms / therapy
  • Female
  • Fluorodeoxyglucose F18
  • Humans
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging / methods
  • Mammography / methods*
  • Neoplasm Metastasis / diagnosis*
  • Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / diagnosis*
  • Positron-Emission Tomography / methods
  • Sensitivity and Specificity
  • Ultrasonography, Mammary

Substances

  • Fluorodeoxyglucose F18