The evaluation of breast findings detected through different visualisation techniques in acromegaly patients — a retrospective study

Background/aim: It is known that the increased growth hormone (GH) and insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) have mitogenic and antiapoptotic properties in breast cells in acromegaly. Our study aims to evaluate breast findings in patients with acromegaly by comparing them to the control group. Materials and methods: Sixty-one patients followed with acromegaly diagnosis and 180 healthy controls were included in our study. Demographic data, laboratory results, Breast Imaging-Reporting and Data System (BI-RADS) scores, and breast density evaluated via mammography, malign and benign breast lesions evaluated via mammography, breast ultrasonography (USG), and breast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of patients were compared to the control group. Results: While BI-RADS scores were similar in patient and control groups, breast density in acromegaly patients was found out to be higher compared to the control group (p = 0.754, p = 0.001, respectively). In acromegaly patients, the breast calcification rate was higher than controls (p = 0.021). t was observed that mass frequency in USG in acromegaly patients increased when GH level increased as well (p = 0.021). No difference was detected between benign and malign breast lesions diagnosed histopathologically ( p = 0.031, p = 0.573, respectively). There was not any difference in terms of BI-RADS scores, breast types, and breast lesions in acromegaly patients that were in remission and not in remission (p > 0.05). Conclusion: Benign and malign breast lesions were found out to be similar to the control group, although breast density rate was detected to be higher in acromegaly patients. A regular follow-up is required in these patients via suitable breast visualization techniques considering their age and clinical status due to mass formation risk derived from increased GH level and extreme breast density despite the absence of any detected breast lesion frequency in acromegaly patients.