The Role and Difficulties of the Use of Routine Screening Abdomen Ultrasound for the Detection of a Liver Metastasis in Postoperative Breast Cancer Patients

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To evaluate the role and difficulties of the use of routine abdomen ultrasound (US) in postoperative breast cancer patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We reviewed the clinical records of 2460 patients who received breast cancer surgeries and underwent routine follow-up abdomen US for more than five years. We evaluated the number and clinical conditions of patients with a liver metastasis. We also evaluated the cut-off point of the breast cancer stage where a metastasis was likely to occur using the chi-squared test and receiver operator characteristic (ROC) analysis. RESULTS: A metastasis developed in 238 patients (9.7%), and the liver was the third most common organ site. However, just 24 (0.98%) patients presented only with a liver metastasis. Among these 24 patients, a metastasis was detected in 17 patients with the use of routine abdomen US. The cut-off point for a metastasis was Stage 3A. CONCLUSION: The use of routine screening abdomen ultrasound for the detection of a liver metastasis in postoperative breast cancer patients is not recommended. However, US can be used selectively in patients with clinical symptom or that present with a high stage equal or greater than Stage 3A.