Breast Imaging

Imaging is an integral part of breast cancer diagnosis, staging and follow-up. Breast imaging is also important for radiation therapy planning. The radiation oncologist needs to review patient’s imaging (e.g. mammography) to evaluate the extent of disease (for radiation planning, not for diagnostic purposes) and for treatment planning. Pre-treatment imaging is the key for planning radiation target volumes, especially the radiation tumour bed boost if indicated and regional nodal irradiation. For radiation treatment planning, the radiation oncologist needs to be familiar with patient anatomy as seen on imaging done for treatment planning (e.g. CT simulation, MRI simulation). Therefore, participating in a multidisciplinary meeting with breast radiologist experts, learning how to read/understand breast imaging and consulting with a breast radiologist expert if there is any doubt, is essential for proper breast radiation planning. The current chapter will review breast imaging for screening, preoperative evaluation and provide tools for the radiation oncologist to review breast imaging in clinical practice.