Sensitivity of imaging for multifocal-multicentric breast carcinoma
2008

Sensitivity of Imaging for Breast Cancer Detection

Sample size: 97 publication 10 minutes Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Anna Bozzini, Giuseppe Renne, Lorenza Meneghetti, Giuseppe Bandi, Gabriela Santos, Anna Rita Vento, Simona Menna, Stefania Andrighetto, Giuseppe Viale, Enrico Cassano, Massimo Bellomi

Primary Institution: European Institute of Oncology

Hypothesis

This study aims to determine the sensitivity of mammography and ultrasound in detecting multifocal multicentric breast carcinoma.

Conclusion

Mammography often misses malignant foci in dense or fibroglandular breasts, while ultrasound misses small lesions in fatty breasts.

Supporting Evidence

  • Mammography detected 83 out of 97 index cancers with a sensitivity of 85.6%.
  • Ultrasound detected 73 out of 80 index cancers with a sensitivity of 91.2%.
  • The combined sensitivity of mammography and ultrasound for assessing multifocality was 58%.
  • Mammography missed 165 malignant foci, while ultrasound missed 117.

Takeaway

Doctors used special imaging to find breast cancer in women, but sometimes they missed some cancers, especially in certain types of breast tissue.

Methodology

The study involved re-reviewing mammograms and ultrasounds of 97 women diagnosed with multifocal multicentric breast carcinoma.

Limitations

The study is retrospective and may not account for all variables affecting imaging sensitivity.

Participant Demographics

Median age of participants was 48 years, with a range from 26 to 78 years.

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1186/1471-2407-8-275

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