[Thermographic diagnosis of breast disease]

Breast thermography was applied to 372 patients (49 with breast cancer and 323 with benign disease) between June 1984 and May 1985 at this Cancer Center. The thermographic findings obtained were quantitated and subjected to multivariate analysis to establish the diagnostic criteria for breast thermography. The result of diagnosis using the criteria revealed 87.8% as the sensitivity ratio and 67.8% as the specificity ratio. Even nonpalpable breast cancer could be diagnosed correctly. These facts and the noninvasive characteristics of this method indicate its validity as a screening test.