Radiation Therapy With Iridium Interstitial Implant Brachytherapy After Lumpectomy for T1N0 Breast Cancer: Mammographic Findings Debra L. Monticciolo, MD,* Simon N. Powell, MD, PhD,† Alphonse G. Taghian, MD, PhD,‡ Barbara L. Smith, MD, PhD§ and Michele A. Gadd, MD§ Abstract To define and evaluate mammographic changes in patients treated with lumpectomy followed by interstitial implant brachytherapy rather than conventional radiation treatment, 22 patients with T1N0 breast cancer were recruited into our treatment protocol; 19 patients had 32 mammograms for review. All patients underwent catheter placement at the time of definitive surgical excision, with a subsequent course of interstitial radiation over 100 to 120 hours (50- 60 Gy) as their only radiation treatment. Radiographic findings assessed included distortion, density at the treatment site, overall breast density, skin thickening, hematoma/seroma formation, calcifications, and fat necrosis. Distortion and density at the treatment site were the most common findings, similar to findings in patients treated with standard radiation. Increased breast density, skin thickening, hematoma/seroma, calcifications, and fat necrosis were also seen. The rate and degree of persistent hematoma/seroma is higher for patients treated with interstitial implant radiation than that expected with conventional external beam radiation. Skin thickening is common but more focal than with conventional treatment. The rates of distortion, density at the treatment site, and calcification are similar with the two techniques. Journal of Women's Imaging 3(2):69-73, 2001. © 2001 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins] Remember we are NOT Doctors and have NO medical training. This site is like an Encylopedia - there are many pages, many links on many topics. Support our work with any size DONATION - see left side of any page - for how to donate. You can help raise awareness of CAM.