The Dilemmas’ in Investigating Breast Cancer Following Breast Augmentation

Introduction: There is still controversy in the literature as regards the role of mammography in diagnosing carcinoma of the breast in women with breast prosthesis, the primary aim of this study was to assess the efficacy of mammography in the management of breast cancer following augmentation of the breast by implants. Methods: Review of our database and case records from October 2009 till October 2015, along with a detailed analysis of the current medical literature Results: 15 patients were identified, all developed breast cancer following breast implant insertion. Mammography failed to show any abnormality in 10 patients (66.7%), mammograms detected incidental benign looking microcalcifications (M2) in 2 patients (13.33%), in 2 patients' mammography showed indeterminate findings (M3) (13.33%), only one patient (6.67%) had suspicious mammographic findings (M4). In contrast, Ultrasound Scan (USS) demonstrated lesions in all of 15 patients, the Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scans, confirmed the lesions denoted in the USS on all of the 6 patients who underwent MRI mammography (100%). Conclusion: Mammography is a poor modality for the diagnosis of early breast cancer in women following breast augmentation surgery. Authors would advise the consideration of MRI mammography and focused Ultrasound scan in the radiological assessment of these women.