Nonpalpable breast cancer

Thirty-seven patients with nonpalpable breast cancer treated between 1981 and 1992 were analysed. Twenty-five (68%) of the patients were detected by microcalcification of mammogram, 8 by nipple discharge and 4 by other means. Biopsy was carried out in all patients to get a final diagnosis and histopathological examinations were performed using continuous sections (especially the section with microcalcification). The incidence of noninvasive carcinoma was 59% (22 cases) and the remaining invasive carcinomas were 3 minimal lesions less than 0.5 cm, 3 lesions from 0.5 to 1.0 cm, 3 diseases more than 1.0 cm, and 6 invasive carcinomas with noninvasive ductal carcinoma predominant. Modified radical mastectomy was performed in 16 cases, partial glandectomy in 10 and other surgery including subcutaneous mastectomy in 11. All of the patients with nonpalpabl breast cancer showed a good prognosis because of early detection and early treatment. Mammography was useful to detect nonpalpable breast cancers with microcalcification.