Relationship between Volpara Density Grade and Compressed Breast Thickness in Japanese Patients with Breast Cancer

Area of Science:

• Radiology
• Oncology
• Medical Imaging

Background:

• High breast density on mammography (MG) is linked to reduced cancer detection rates and increased breast cancer risk.
• Limited research exists on Volpara density grade (VDG) and compressed breast thickness (CBT) in Japanese women.
• Pseudo-dense breasts (CBT < 30 mm) within high-density categories require further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the relationship between Volpara density grade (VDG), compressed breast thickness (CBT), and apparent high breast density in Japanese breast cancer patients.
• To assess the clinical significance of pseudo-dense breasts (CBT < 30 mm) in the context of mammographic breast density.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective analysis of women undergoing mammography and breast cancer surgery.
• Measurement of Volpara density grade (VDG) and compressed breast thickness (CBT).
• Classification of VDG into non-dense (NDG) and dense (DG) groups.

Main Results:

• A negative correlation was observed between VDG and CBT.
• The dense group (DG) comprised younger patients with lower BMI and thinner CBT.
• Patients with CBT < 30 mm within the DG had lower BMI and higher VDG, but positivity rates did not differ significantly compared to those with CBT ≥ 30 mm.

Conclusions:

• Younger women with higher breast density may present with thinner CBT, potentially complicating mammographic detection.
• No significant difference in breast cancer detection rates was found between CBT < 30 mm and CBT ≥ 30 mm groups.
• VDG and CBT are important factors in understanding breast density variations and their impact on mammographic screening.