INDICATIONS FOR HEPATIC ULTRASONOGRAPHY IN BREAST-CANCER STAGING AND FOLLOW-UP

Retrospective analysis of the medical records of 6649 breast cancer pa tients seen over an Ii-year period found 438 patients (6.6%) with live r metastases (LM) and 432 patients (6.5 %)with benign liver lesions (B LL). Liver ultrasonography (LUS) and liver function tests had been per formed for all patients. LM were the first manifestation of metastatic spread in 20.1% of the 438 patients; median survival was related to t he presence (6.7 mo.) or absence (12.2 mo.) of extrahepatic metastases (EHM). Liver function tests were normal in 20.5 % of the patients in whom LM were first diagnosed by LUS. Most LM were hypoechoic (70.9%). BLL corresponded to cysts, hemangiomas, calcifications, and focal fatt y infiltration. LUS appears indicated for (i) pretherapy disease stagi ng, and in particular for detection of BLL, and (ii) follow-up of pati ents without EHM for early diagnosis of LM.