Evaluation of the breast undergoing lumpectomy and radiation therapy.

As larger numbers of women undergo breast-conserving treatment, it is important for radiologists to understand the usual alterations in the mammogram that result from surgery and radiation and to be able to differentiate these from findings that may indicate a new breast cancer. Scar formation, skin changes, increased breast density, and coarse calcifications are normal findings after breast-conserving treatment. Microcalcifications and new masses may indicate recurrent tumor. Fat necrosis and fibrosis can produce changes that may be identical to recurrent cancer. Appropriate follow-up with mammography should help in the early diagnosis of recurrent breast cancer.