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Detection of Architectural Distortion in Prior Mammograms via Analysis of Oriented Patterns
Published on: August 30, 2013
Digital mammography in a screening programme and its implications for pathology: a comparative study
Linda Feeley1, Donal Kiernan, Therese Mooney
1Department of Histopathology, Mater Misericordiae University Hospital, Eccles Street, Dublin, Ireland. lindafeeley@yahoo.co.uk
Journal of Clinical Pathology
|December 24, 2010
Summary
Full-field digital mammography (FFDM) shows higher cancer detection rates than screen-film mammography (SFM), particularly for microcalcifications. However, FFDM also leads to increased recall and B3 rates, suggesting potential overtreatment concerns.
Area of Science:
- Radiology
- Oncology
- Pathology
Background:
- Most studies comparing full-field digital mammography (FFDM) and screen-film mammography (SFM) focus on radiological aspects.
- Pathological implications of FFDM in screening programs are less explored.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare FFDM and SFM in a population-based screening program using pathological parameters.
- To evaluate the impact of FFDM on cancer detection and patient outcomes.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective study of 107,818 screening mammograms (50.1% FFDM, 49.9% SFM).
- Comparison of recall rate, biopsy rate, cancer detection rates, B3/B4 rates, and tumor characteristics between FFDM and SFM.
Main Results:
- FFDM had a significantly higher recall rate (4.21% vs 3.52%) and overall cancer detection rate (7.2 vs 6.2 per 1000 women).
- FFDM showed significantly higher rates for B3 lesions (2.5 vs 1.3 per 1000 women).
- Improved detection of microcalcifications, including invasive and in situ cancers, was observed with FFDM.
Conclusions:
- FFDM enhances cancer detection, especially for microcalcifications, but at the cost of higher recall and B3 rates.
- Potential for overtreatment with FFDM warrants further investigation in screening programs.
