ULTRASOUND FOR BREAST CONDITION MONITORING IN FEMALES USING LEVONORGESTREL-CONTAINING INTRAUTERINE SYSTEMS FOR 5 YEARS
<i>AIM.</i> To assess the breast condition in females using levonorgestrel-containing intrauterine system (20 μg) for 5-year period, by repeated ultrasound monitoring. <i>METHODS.</i> Results of regular clinical examination and breast ultrasound repeated during 5 years of follow up in 118 women aged 30 to 55 years, continuously using levonorgestrel-containing intrauterine system (20 μg) for 5-year period, were analyzed. <i>RESULTS.</i> According to the results of 5-year sonographic monitoring of breast condition in females using levonorgestrel-containing intrauterine system, breast cancer was diagnosed in 2 (1.7%) patients during the first 6 months of the research; no other cases were discovered during the subsequent follow-up. Fibroadenoma of the breast was diagnosed in 3 (2.5%) women, which was lower compared to statistical prevalence in general population (5%). By the end of the follow-up period, no mammary gland adenosis foci were found at ultrasound. The number of patients with breast cysts decreased, as well as the number of breast cysts in single patient, which were found in 41 (34.7%) female patients before the treatment and in 13 (11.0%) patients after a year of treatment with levonorgestrel-containing intrauterine system. No mammary gland dilatation was diagnosed before levonorgestrel-containing intrauterine system was administered, during the first year of treatment it was revealed in 16 (13.5%) patients. According to the results of ultrasonography, maximal size of fibrous glandular complex after 5 years of treatment was 16.2 mm, mean - 10.2 mm (before the treatment - 18.2 and 14.2 mm respectively, after 1 year of treatment - 17.4 and 13.3 mm respectively. <i>CONCLUSION.</i> The use of levonorgestrel-containing intrauterine system was associated with favorable effects on breast condition. No adenosis foci were further found, the number of patients with mammary gland cysts decreased as well as the number of the cysts, the fibrous glandular complex thickness has decreased, revealing the downward trend for breast focal masses formation.