[Diagnostic procedures in the evaluation of malignancy degree in breast cancer. Radiological view point]

The value of mammography and thermography for evaluation of breast cancer malignancy is reviewed. The only radiologic finding that changes the prognosis is peritumoral edema, either localized or involving the whole breast; when present, this edema has unfavourable implications for prognosis. Thermography, on the other hand, provides a much better idea of prognosis when the tumor is palpable. In this case the prognosis is influenced much more by the degree of hyperthermia than by the clinical size of the lesion.