Differences in Breast Cancer Detected by Screening vs. Clinical Presentation
Author Information
Author(s): W.K. Cowan, B. Angus, J. Henry, I.P. Corbett, W.A. Reid, C.H.W. Homee
Primary Institution: Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Gateshead
Hypothesis
Do screen-detected breast cancers differ biologically from those presenting clinically?
Conclusion
Screen-detected breast cancers are generally smaller, less likely to have nodal metastases, and more often in situ compared to clinically detected cancers.
Supporting Evidence
- Screen-detected tumors were more often smaller than 15 mm compared to clinical tumors.
- Only 3% of clinical cases were in situ, while 16% of screened tumors were.
- 35% of clinical cases had axillary metastases compared to 14% of screened patients.
Takeaway
This study found that breast cancers found through screening are usually smaller and less aggressive than those found when patients go to the doctor with symptoms.
Methodology
The study compared 111 screen-detected tumors with 69 clinically detected tumors, analyzing tumor size, grade, and immunohistochemical features.
Potential Biases
Potential bias due to the nature of the screening process and the selection of clinical cases.
Limitations
The study is based on a relatively small sample size.
Participant Demographics
Participants included patients from a breast screening program and those presenting clinically at the same hospital.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.005, p<0.025
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
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