Rationale and Objectives
Breast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is recommended for the screening of women
with a history of chest radiotherapy and consequent increased breast cancer risk.
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of prior chest radiotherapy on
breast tissue background parenchymal enhancement (BPE) at screening breast MRI.
Materials and Methods
A departmental database was reviewed to identify asymptomatic women with either a
history of chest radiotherapy for Hodgkin's lymphoma or age-matched controls who underwent
screening breast MRI between 2009 and 2013. MRI studies were analyzed on an automated
breast MRI viewing platform to calculate breast BPE and breast density.
Results
A total of 61 cases (mean age 41.6 ± 6.75 years) and 61 controls (mean age 40.8 ± 6.99
years) were included. The age of patients at the time of chest radiotherapy was 22.6 ± 8.17
years. Screening MRI was performed 19.0 ± 7.43 years after chest radiotherapy. BPE
was significantly higher in patients who received chest radiotherapy (50% vs. 37%,
P < 0.01). A weak to moderate positive correlation (r > 0.3; P < 0.03) was found between BPE and number of years post radiotherapy. There was a trend
toward significant difference between the two groups in the correlation of BPE and
age (P = 0.05). Breast density was not significantly different between the two groups.
Conclusions
BPE is significantly greater in women who receive chest radiotherapy for childhood
Hodgkin's lymphoma, and unexpectedly, it positively correlates with the number of
years passed after radiation therapy. Long-term biological effects of radiation therapy
on breast parenchyma need further research.
Key Words
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: November 03, 2015
Accepted:
September 16,
2015
Received in revised form:
September 3,
2015
Received:
May 8,
2015
Identification
Copyright
© 2015 The Association of University Radiologists. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
