[Differential diagnosis of breast tumors with limited growth]

The paper is concerned with the results of comparative analysis of the clinical, x-ray and cytological methods of investigation of women with breast tumors in situ (43 cases of cancer and 19 cases of intracanalicular fibroadenoma, the latter being difficult for differential diagnosis). A number of important diagnostic symptoms were identified. Cancer affected more frequently women over 55. It was characterized by the presence of microcalcinates (60 +/- 13%) and inadequacy of tumor sizes on palpation and on radiograms (35 +/- 7%). The diagnostic accuracy of the methods used separately was 44 +/- 8% for the clinical method, 79 +/- 7% for the x-ray method, and 89 +/- 3% for the cytological method. Their combined use in a specialized mammography unit resulted in 98 +/- 2% of diagnostic accuracy.