Sensitivity, specificity, predictive value and accuracy of film/screen mammography. A three-year experience

Area of Science:

• Radiology
• Oncology
• Pathology

Background:

• Mammography is a key tool for breast cancer detection.
• Accurate interpretation of mammographic findings is crucial for patient outcomes.
• Correlation between imaging and pathology is essential for validating diagnostic accuracy.

Purpose of the Study:

• To correlate mammographic and pathologic findings for breast lesions.
• To evaluate the diagnostic performance of film-screen mammography.
• To assess the impact of wire-directed biopsies on cancer detection.

Main Methods:

• Reviewed 312 breast lesions biopsied between 1984-1986.
• Classified mammographic interpretations as true positive, true negative, false positive, or false negative.
• Analyzed data from wire-directed biopsies and biopsies of palpable lesions separately and combined.
• Calculated sensitivity, specificity, predictive values, and accuracy of mammography.

Main Results:

• Film-screen mammography showed 84% sensitivity, 59% specificity, 40% positive predictive value, 92% negative predictive value, and 65% accuracy.
• Wire-directed biopsies identified 14 clinically occult breast cancers.
• Wire-directed biopsies increased false positive diagnoses but detected early-stage cancers with negative lymph nodes in 84% of cases.

Conclusions:

• Mammography demonstrates valuable sensitivity and negative predictive value for breast cancer detection.
• Wire-directed biopsies enhance the detection of occult cancers, despite a higher false positive rate.
• Accurate mammographic interpretation and targeted biopsies are vital for effective breast cancer management.