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Mammography in symptomatic breast disease
A P Locker1, A R Manhire, V Stickland
1Department of Surgery, City Hospital, Nottingham.
Lancet (London, England)
|April 22, 1989
Summary
Mammography aids breast cancer diagnosis with 88% sensitivity in symptomatic patients. However, clinical examination remains crucial, with mammography best used in specific, not routine, screening scenarios.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Radiology
- Diagnostic Imaging
Background:
- Mammography is a key tool in breast cancer detection.
- Symptomatic patients present a diverse range of breast conditions requiring accurate diagnosis.
- Evaluating the precise role of mammography in this context is essential for optimizing patient care.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the diagnostic contribution of mammography in patients presenting with breast symptoms.
- To determine the sensitivity of mammography in detecting breast cancer within this cohort.
- To delineate the specific situations where mammography offers the most significant benefit.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 5080 patients with various breast symptoms.
- Inclusion of cases with confirmed breast cancer diagnoses (n=562).
- Evaluation of mammography's detection rate and comparison with clinical findings.
Main Results:
- Mammography demonstrated an overall sensitivity of 88% for breast cancer detection.
- Mammography alone detected 18 cancers; 3 were in the contralateral breast.
- Of the 15 cancers detected by mammography in the symptomatic breast, 7 had concurrent clinical signs warranting biopsy.
Conclusions:
- Clinical breast examination is paramount for managing symptomatic breast disease.
- Mammography is most valuable in specific clinical scenarios rather than universal screening for all symptomatic patients.
- Integrating mammographic findings with clinical assessment improves diagnostic accuracy and patient management.