Quantitative sonographic parameters as a means of distinguishing breast cancers from benign solid breast masses

Ultrasound examinations of solid breast masses were reviewed retrospectively to determine whether quantitative data of their dimensions could distinguish benign from malignant tumors. Forty-nine fibroadenomas and 30 carcinomas with cytologic or histologic proof were identified. No significant difference was found between carcinomas and fibroadenomas when comparing the average ratio of length to anteroposterior (L/AP) diameter or the mean ratio of anteroposterior diameter to transverse diameter (AP/T). In this limited series, quantification of the degree of mass elongation along the natural breast tissue planes had low sensitivity in distinguishing malignant from benign tumors.