Value of routine abdominal and lymph node sonography in the follow-up of breast cancer patients.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to review usefulness and intervals for abdominal sonography during the follow-up of breast cancer patients. Additionally, we assessed the value of regional lymph node sonography in patients with possible locoregional recurrence.

SUBJECTS

Retrospectively, 2657 abdominal ultrasound examinations of 414 patients and 299 sonographic examinations of the regional lymph nodes in 227 patients after surgical treatment for breast cancer were evaluated.

RESULTS

Follow-up abdominal sonography revealed metastases in 6.8% of patients, and in 1% of examinations. There was no dependence on the initial T- or N-stage. At sonography of the regional lymph nodes in patients with suspicious palpatory findings metastatic nodes were found in 15.9% of patients, and in 12% of examinations.

CONCLUSION

Risk-adapted follow-up intervals for abdominal sonography cannot be proposed, regular examinations are not recommended. Lymph node sonography is useful and promising in the evaluation of suspicious palpatory findings.