The role of mammography in the evaluation of advanced breast cancer treated by initial endocrine therapy

Abstract

Abstract Fifty-five patients with locally advanced breast cancer treated with initial endocrine therapy have been followed up for periods of between 6 and 64 months (median 17 months) with regular clinical and radiological examination. The aim of the study was to evaluate the role of mammography in initial assessment, and subsequent follow-up. Fifty patients were available for evaluation and were classified by clinical, and by mammographic data independently. The clinical assessment, using UICC criteria of response, estimated 36 patients (72 per cent) as responders (complete response, partial response and no change). Mammographic assessment of response, using 8 radiological features of malignancy, agreed with the clinical estimate in 48 per cent of cases and 32 patients (64 per cent) were assessed as responders. Where clinical and mammographic assessment differed, it was usually due either to a smaller radiological reduction in tumour size, or mammography demonstrating features of progressive disease not observed clinically. Two other mammographic features studied were of prognostic significance. In 70 per cent of the responders in which microcalcifications were present, they became reduced in number but increased in size, a change not seen in non-responders. A curvilinear band, or ‘rainbow sign’, is described which is an early sign of localized skin infiltration and was associated with a poor prognosis.