Mammogram: skin thickening post radiotherapy

Case contribution: Dr Radhiana Hassan

Clinical:

  • A 60 years old lady
  • Presented with left breast lump.
  • Mammogram and ultrasound done show a suspicious lesion in the left breast.
  • Biopsy shows invasive ductal carcinoma.
  • Wide local excision with axillary LN resection done
  • After that she received 6 cycles of chemotherapy followed by radiotherapy
  • Mammogram and ultrasound breasts done for surveillance, about 8 months after completed radiotherapy

Mammogram findings:

  • The breasts display scattered areas of fibroglandular density (BIRADS density B).
  • Left breast is smaller with associated architectural distortion in keeping with previous operation.
  • Slight increased density is also observed at left breast with no dominant mass seen.
  • Generalised skin thickening seen at left breast with its maximum diameter measuring about 7 mm.
  • No suspicious cluster of microcalcification.
  • Shotty right axillary nodes with preserved fatty hilum are observed.

Ultrasound findings:

  • The right breast demonstrates normal fibroglandular echogenicity and echotexture.
  • A small well-defined hypoechoic lesion with posterior enhancement is seen at the right 11H measuring about 0.4 cm x 0.6 cm x 0.4 cm (AP x W x CC).
  • The left breast appears oedematous particularly at the lower outer quadrant with loss of differentiation between the subcutaneous fat and fibroglandular tissues (white arrow).
  • An irregular hypoechoic lesion with mild posterior shadowing is identified at left 5H, measuring about 0.4 cm x 0.5 cm x 0.5 cm (AP x W x CC). No internal vascularity is noted. This could represent scar tissue.
  • No significant left axillary lymphadenopathy is seen.
Mammogram prior to operation shows mass lesion (yellow arrows), otherwise skin thickening is not seen.

 

Progress of patient:

  • Subsequent mammogram done after one year shows resolution of previously seen skin thickening

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Discussion: Skin thickening post radiotherapy

  • Normal skin thickness is 2 mm. Post radiation mammogram can show skin thickening with skin thickness can reach 1 cm or greater.
  • Mammogram shows maximal skin thickening during the first 6 months after completion of therapy and then diminish or attain stability for many patients within 2- 3 years.
  • Skin thickening after radiation is secondary to breast oedema from the damage of small vessels. Acute period of irradiation causes increased vascular permeability of breast tissue causing the breast oedema.
  • It manifests as skin and trabecular thickening. It is best appreciated when compared with contra-lateral breast or with pre-treatment mammogram.
  • In case of worsening skin thickening or breast oedema, differentials include lymphatic spread of cancer, obstructed venous drainage, congestive heart failure and infection. Further investigation is warranted in these cases.
Author: radhianahassan