Calcifications and tungsten deposits after breast-conserving surgery and intraoperative radiotherapy for breast cancer.

ABSTRACT

AIM: To describe the presence of atypical calcifications on post-operative mammography after breast-conserving surgery (BCS) and intraoperative radiotherapy (IORT). MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively include all patients followed after BCS and IORT for breast cancer (n=271). All follow-up mammograms at 6 months after surgery were retrospectively evaluated by two board-certified radiologists. The radiologists had to notify the presence or the absence of atypical calcifications. RESULTS: Five patients had on follow-up mammography the presence of atypical calcifications. Two patients had a stereotactic breast biopsy. The pathologic examination showed the presence of small tungsten particles located in the breast parenchyma. CONCLUSION: The presence of atypical calcifications after BCS and IORT, presenting as multiple, scattered, round calcifications, should be rated as BIRADS 2 and do not require biopsy. They corresponded on tungsten deposits.