Detection of incidental breast tumors by noncontrast spiral computed tomography of the chest.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate the frequency of breast tumors and breast cancers with noncontrast spiral chest computed tomography (CT).

Material and methods: A clinical study was conducted to evaluate findings in the mammary region of 1008 consecutive patients with no mammary symptoms or signs who underwent noncontrast spiral CT of the chest from April 2003 to March 2006.

Results: Six cases of breast abnormality were detected among the 1008 women. Three were primary breast cancers, one was metastatic breast cancer, and two were benign tumors. All four breast cancer patients were over 70 years old. The characteristics of the tumor margins on CT scans corresponded to the mammography and ultrasonography findings. The mammographic background density ranged from inhomogeneous high-density breast to fatty breast. The detection rate of primary breast cancer by noncontrast spiral CT was 0.30%.

Conclusion: Noncontrast spiral chest CT occasionally detects nonsymptomatic breast cancers, especially in elderly patients.