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Portrait of Sophia Zackrisson. Photo

Sophia Zackrisson

Research group manager, Principal investigator, Professor, MD

Portrait of Sophia Zackrisson. Photo

Mammographic features differ with body composition in women with breast cancer

Author

  • Hanna Sartor
  • Li Sturesdotter
  • Anna Maria Larsson
  • Ann H. Rosendahl
  • Sophia Zackrisson

Summary, in English

Objectives: There are several breast cancer (BC) risk factors—many related to body composition, hormonal status, and fertility patterns. However, it is not known if risk factors in healthy women are associated with specific mammographic features at the time of BC diagnosis. Our aim was to assess the potential association between pre-diagnostic body composition and mammographic features in the diagnostic BC image. Materials and methods: The prospective Malmö Diet and Cancer Study includes women with invasive BC from 1991 to 2014 (n = 1116). BC risk factors at baseline were registered (anthropometric measures, menopausal status, and parity) along with mammography data from BC diagnosis (breast density, mammographic tumor appearance, and mode of detection). We investigated associations between anthropometric measures and mammographic features via logistic regression analyses, yielding odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI). Results: There was an association between high body mass index (BMI) (≥ 30) at baseline and spiculated tumor appearance (OR 1.370 (95% CI: 0.941–2.010)), primarily in women with clinically detected cancers (OR 2.240 (95% CI: 1.280–3.940)), and in postmenopausal women (OR 1.580 (95% CI: 1.030–2.440)). Furthermore, an inverse association between high BMI (≥ 30) and high breast density (OR 0.270 (95% CI: 0.166–0.438)) was found. Conclusion: This study demonstrated an association between obesity and a spiculated mass on mammography—especially in women with clinically detected cancers and in postmenopausal women. These findings offer insights on the relationship between risk factors in healthy women and related mammographic features in subsequent BC. Clinical relevance statement: With increasing numbers of both BC incidence and women with obesity, it is important to highlight mammographic findings in women with an unhealthy weight. Key Points: Women with obesity and BC may present with certain mammographic features. Spiculated masses were more common in women with obesity, especially postmenopausal women, and those with clinically detected BCs. Insights on the relationship between obesity and related mammographic features will aid mammographic interpretation.

Department/s

  • Radiology Diagnostics, Malmö
  • LUCC: Lund University Cancer Centre
  • The Liquid Biopsy and Tumor Progression in Breast Cancer
  • Breast cancer treatment
  • Breast cancer prevention & intervention
  • Breastcancer
  • EpiHealth: Epidemiology for Health
  • LTH Profile Area: Photon Science and Technology
  • LU Profile Area: Light and Materials

Publishing year

2024

Language

English

Pages

151-159

Publication/Series

European Radiology

Volume

35

Issue

1

Document type

Journal article

Publisher

Springer

Topic

  • Radiology and Medical Imaging

Keywords

  • Anthropometry
  • Breast
  • Breast density
  • Cancer
  • Mammography

Status

Published

Research group

  • Radiology Diagnostics, Malmö
  • The Liquid Biopsy and Tumor Progression in Breast Cancer
  • Breast cancer prevention & intervention

ISBN/ISSN/Other

  • ISSN: 0938-7994