Mammography After Mastectomy

Abstract

Study of 397 patients who had had unilateral mastectomy for cancer of the breast included thorough physical examination and mammography in each case. In 25 cases, pathologically-confirmed carcinoma of the remaining breast was found. Physical examination alone detected 15 of the tumors—nine clinically malignant and six clinically benign. Mammography demonstrated carcinomas in ten cases in which it was not previously suspected and suggested the malignant character of the six clinically benign tumors. Carcinomas detected by mammography were smaller and had fewer axillary-lymph-node metastases than did clinically palpable lesions. The authors concluded that mammography is a valuable adjunct to the physical examination for early detection of carcinoma in the remaining breast after unilateral mastectomy for this disease.