Contrast-enhanced mammography for breast cancer in women with augmented breasts

Leesburg, VA, March 18, 2021–According to ARRS’ American Journal of Roentgenology (AJR), contrast-enhanced mammography (CEM) showed concordance with MRI in women with newly diagnosed breast cancer and breast augmentation.

Noting that CEM has not been investigated in women with breast augmentation, Molly Carnahan and her Mayo Clinic team in Phoenix, AZ, concluded, “the findings suggest a possible role of CEM for staging in women with breast augmentation and contraindication or limited access to MRI.”

From an institutional database of 2,215 women who underwent CEM between January 2015 and March 2020, the researchers identified breast implants in 67 women: 42 without corresponding MRI, 3 without breast cancer, 1 with axillary disease only, and 6 with neoadjuvant chemotherapy before CEM or MRI–leaving a final sample of 17 women (mean age 52 years; 6 with non-dense breasts, 11 with dense breasts).

The index cancer histology was invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC) in 15 (88%) women, invasive lobular carcinoma (ILC) in 1 (6%), and ductal carcinoma in situ in 1 (6%). Median index cancer size was 2 cm, and 2 (12%) index cancers were mammographically occult. Ultimately, CEM and MRI were concordant for the index cancer in all 17 women.

Six additional lesions were demonstrated by CEM and confirmed by MRI in 6 (35%) women: 3 multifocal, 1 multicentric, 2 contralateral. Two of these lesions revealed malignant histopathology: 1 IDC, 1 ILC.

“MRI did not identify any additional cancers not identified on CEM,” the authors of this AJR article added.

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Founded in 1900, the American Roentgen Ray Society (ARRS) is the first and oldest radiological society in North America, dedicated to the advancement of medicine through the profession of radiology and its allied sciences. An international forum for progress in medical imaging since the discovery of the x-ray, ARRS maintains its mission of improving health through a community committed to advancing knowledge and skills with an annual scientific meeting, monthly publication of the peer-reviewed American Journal of Roentgenology (AJR), quarterly issues of InPractice magazine, AJR Live Webinars and Podcasts, topical symposia, print and online educational materials, as well as awarding scholarships via The Roentgen Fund®.