Incidental Breast Cancer on Chest CT: Is the Radiology Report Enough?

• Published in: Journal of breast imaging Vol. 3; no. 5; p. 591
• Main Authors: Aripoli, Allison, Beeler, Joley, Clark, Lauren, Walter, Carissa, Inciardi, Marc, Huppe, Ashley, Gatewood, Jason, Irani, Neville, Carroll, Melissa, Norris, Taylor, Barton, Angela, Ackerman, Peyton, Winblad, Onalisa
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 16.09.2021
• Subjects: follow-up; breast cancer; breast imaging; chest CT
• ISSN: 2631-6129
• DOI: 10.1093/jbi/wbab040

To determine the frequency of incidental breast findings reported on chest CT for which breast imaging follow-up is recommended, the follow-up adherence rate, and the breast malignancy rate. The relationship between strength of recommendation verbiage and follow-up was also explored. A retrospective review was conducted of chest CT reports from July 1, 2018, to June 30, 2019, to identify those with recommendation for breast imaging follow-up. Patients with recently diagnosed or prior history of breast malignancy were excluded. Medical records were reviewed to evaluate patient adherence to follow-up, subsequent BI-RADS assessment, and diagnosis (if tissue sampling performed). Adherence was defined as diagnostic breast imaging performed within 6 months of CT recommendation. Chi-square and Mann-Whitney U tests were used to determine statistical significance of categorical and continuous variables, respectively. A follow-up recommendation for breast imaging was included in chest CT reports of 210 patients; 23% (48/210) returned for follow-up breast imaging. All patients assessed as BI-RADS 4 or 5 underwent image-guided biopsy. Incidental breast cancer was diagnosed in 15% (7/48) of patients who underwent follow-up breast imaging as a result of a CT report recommendation and 78% (7/9) of patients undergoing biopsy. There was no significant difference in follow-up adherence when comparing report verbiage strength. It is imperative that incidental breast findings detected on chest CT undergo follow-up breast imaging to establish accurate and timely diagnosis of breast malignancy. Outreach to referring providers and patients may have greater impact on the diagnosis of previously unsuspected breast cancer.