[Correlations between sonographic and clinical findings in breast cancer]

We recorded the sonographic findings of 108 cases of carcinoma of the breast and compared the different criteria with the respective histological and clinical parameters. When scanned, carcinomas of the breast usually presented as irregular carcinomas with good sound conduction, few internal echoes and rarely with a lateral or dorsal ultrasonic shadow. Sonography showed a smaller diameter of the tumours than measured histologically. Medium-size and solid carcinomas with a smooth surface could be distinguished mos easily. Histological and cytological grading classified these tumours in the high risk group. Tubular and scirrhous tumours were significantly less easy to identify and delineate. This applies also to bigger and smaller tumours. In most cases small carcinomas were smooth, were likely to show sound intensification, and rarely had a dorsal ultrasonic shadow. The bigger they became, the more often we could observe branches; sound intensification decreased, and the dorsal ultrasonic shadow increased. Carcinomas of young women had the same sonographic characteristics as small tumours, whereas carcinomas in elderly women had those of big tumours, although there was no correlation between age and the size of the tumours. We emphasise the importance of sonography in determining tumours dynamics.