Imaging for early stage breast cancer

Fat necrosis

Suggested modifications in the classification of fat necrosis by Lovey et al.

Grade

Presentation

Grade 0

No fat necrosis

Grade I

Asymptomatic, only radiological cytological or biopsy (core, incision, excision)

confirmation

Grade II

Symptomatic fat necrosis not requiring medication; Palpable mass with or without pain

Grade III

Symptomatic fat necrosis requiring medications

Grade IV

Painful fat necrosis requiring surgery for symptom relief

University Hospital Erlangen

Budrukkar et al. Fat necrosis in women with early-stage breast cancer treated with accelerated partial breast irradiation (APBI) using interstitial brachytherapy; Radiotherapy and Oncology 103 (2012) 161–165