[The value of mammography in 1203 breast cancers (author's transl)]

The value of clinical mammography is reviewed on 1203 consecutive cases of histologically proven breast malignancies examined from 1971 to 1978 at the Istituto Nazionale Tumori, Milan, and at the Radiological Department, University of Milan. The diagnostic effectiveness of mammography in this case-list corresponds to approximately 80%: the influences of the histotype and of the tumor's size on these results are reviewed and discussed. The main radiographic signs of malignancy are presented and their importance in reaching a correct diagnosis is outlined. The advantages and drawbacks of mammography are discussed and, amongst these latter, emphasis is given to structurally dense breasts as an intrinsic factor limiting the effectiveness of mammography.