Contrast-enhanced colour Doppler ultrasonography in suspected breast cancer recurrence.

Abstract

Postoperative scarring and radiotherapy changes in the conservatively treated breast often mimic breast cancer recurrence, resulting in many unnecessary biopsies. Local breast cancer recurrence may be detected more accurately with contrast-enhanced colour Doppler imaging. Fifty-eight women with suspected local breast cancer recurrence were evaluated prospectively by means of conventional and contrast-enhanced colour Doppler imaging before surgical biopsy. Sensitivity for the detection of breast cancer recurrence using contrast enhancement was 94 per cent (specificity 67 per cent). Contrast enhancement significantly increased overall diagnostic accuracy, from 80 to 90 per cent (P < 0. 04). Contrast-enhanced colour Doppler imaging is a highly accurate method for detecting local breast cancer recurrence. Its adoption may substantially reduce biopsy rates.