altered breast density between two mammograms
Mammographic screening detects early breast cancers and thereby reduces potential mortality. However, its sensitivity is inversely related to breast density .
Altered density between two mammograms can arise in a number of situations:
Affecting both breasts:
- interval commencement/cessation of hormone replacement therapy: there is increased breast density visible on mammography when patients are on hormone replacement therapy. The changes reverse on cessation of therapy.
- lactation: in practice ultrasound is the imaging modality of choice during lactation as the patients are young and the increased density of the breast during lactation makes mammographic imaging difficult.
- worsening/resolution of congestive cardiac failure
- worsening/resolution of fluid overload from other causes
- substantial weight loss/weight gain: Significant changes in the body mass index have a profound impact on the density of breasts on mammography.
- interval precipitation of SVC syndrome
- idiopathic granulomatous lobular mastitis (IGLM)
- medications: e.g. Danazol decreases density
- vitamin D and calcium intake in pre-menopausal women: decreases density
- increasing age: Involution of the breast implies that the ratio gland: fat decreases thereby decreasing density on mammogram.
Affecting one breast:
- radiation therapy: this is an important etiology for increased breast density which is seen only on the irradiated breast. The changes continue even after the radiation has been stopped.
- lymphatic blockage
- malignancy: e.g. invasive lobular carcinoma especially if affecting part of the breast
See also
Siehe auch:
- invasives lobuläres Karzinom
- Obere Einflussstauung
- low weight effect on mammogram
- Brustdichte in der Mammographie
und weiter:
Assoziationen und Differentialdiagnosen zu altered breast density between two mammograms:
