Cerebrospinal venous obstruction and breast cancer: A pilot study

Abstract

Breast cancer has important co-morbidities including vascular disease but there has been little research undertaken on a possible link between venous disease and breast cancer. This pilot study aims to explore a possible relationship. Methods The venous drainage of the breasts is described and the cerebrospinal venous systems (CSVS) of six patients with treated breast cancer were assessed using duplex ultrasound to measure venous blood volume flows in the neck veins. Results All six patients with breast cancer showed evidence of cerebrospinal venous obstruction (CSVO). Further, all six demonstrated collateral flow in the erect position in the internal jugular vein on the same side as the diagnosed breast cancer. Conclusion There is an indication for a well-designed case-control study using the duplex ultrasound neck vein examination, comparing patients treated for breast cancer with healthy women.