Purpose: This study was initiated to evaluate whether pretreatment diagnostic thoracic CT scan was useful for patients with loco-regional recurrent breast carcinoma, and to assess its impact on the design of radiotherapeutic treatment.
Methods and materials: Between March 1991 and January 1997, 44 patients underwent thoracic CT examination with contrast material before the consideration of radiotherapy for their isolated loco-regional recurrent breast carcinoma. The CT radiographs were prospectively reviewed for additional findings clinically undetected by prior physical examination and plain-chest radiograph. The changes made in treatment design and dosage of radiation as a result of CT findings were recorded for analysis. The correlation between prognostic indicators and the CT findings was also studied.
Results: Twenty-two of 44 (50%) patients were found to have additional abnormalities detected only after thoracic CT examinations were performed. The strategy of radiation therapy was altered in 17 of 22 (77%) patients as a result. Patients with shorter disease-free interval (p = 0.08) and multiple sites of recurrence (p = 0.05) tended to have greater numbers of findings on CT scan previously unsuspected. Thus, CT scan is a valuable guide to treating loco-regional recurrent disease.
Conclusion: Pretreatment diagnostic thoracic CT scan offers essential information that can alter treatment planning and thus optimize treatment strategy for a large proportion of patients with clinically isolated loco-regional recurrent breast carcinoma. In this population of patients we recommend that thoracic CT examination be considered before the initiation of radiation therapy.