†These authors contributed equally.
Academic Editor: Arthur J. Chu
Purpose: The internal mammary arteries (IMA’s) are historically
recognized to be protected against atherosclerosis. Whether chest
wall-irradiation for breast cancer leads to significant IMA damage remains
unclear. The utility of computed tomography (CT) and mammography to detect
radiation-induced damage to the IMA’s and its branches is not known. The
objective of this study is to assess the susceptibility of IMA’s to
radiation-induced atherosclerosis, and the utility of CT scan and mammography in
the assessment of IMA and its branches. Methods: A retrospective
analysis of breast cancer patients who received chest wall-radiotherapy was
performed. Patients with CT scans and/or mammograms