Role of ultrasonography in detecting mammographically occult breast carcinoma in women with dense breasts

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to assess the usefulness of routine ultrasonography in women with negative mammography and dense breasts [Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System (BIRADS D3-4)]. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We applied a protocol involving routine ultrasonography in a consecutive series of subjects with negative mammography and dense breasts. After evaluation by internal and external reviewers of cancers detected by ultrasonography performed to confirm negative mammography, we determined the additional cancer detection rate of ultrasonography and the cost of the protocol. RESULTS: Out of 17,883 total mammographies, 167 cancers were diagnosed (detection rate: 0.93%). Out of 257 suspicious mammographies, 138 cancers were detected. Out of 17,626 negative mammographies, 6,449 (36.5%) were classified as "dense breast" and underwent ultrasonography: 29 cancers were detected (detection rate: 0.44%, or 17.3% of total cancers). Out of 25 cancer cases reviewed, negative mammography and asymptomatic status was confirmed in 15 (detection rate 0.23%, or 8.9% of total cancers). The cancer detection rate was 0.11%, 0.22%, 0.32% and 0.14% for age groups <40, 40-49, 50-59 and >59, respectively. The cost per additional carcinoma detected by ultrasonography alone was euro 25,847.85 whereas that per examined woman was euro 21.68. CONCLUSIONS: The study confirms the possibility that ultrasonography can detect mammographically occult breast carcinoma in dense breasts. The evidence is insufficient to recommend this policy in routine screening practice but suggests that, at least in current clinical practice, adding ultrasonography in dense breasts may be useful despite the substantial costs.     

Role of mammography in diagnosis of axillary abnormalities in women with normal breast examination

The mammograms of 43 patients presenting with palpable unilateral masses in the axilla and normal breasts on physical examination were retrospectively reviewed to determine the cause and imaging characteristics of axillary abnormalities, and the usefulness of mammography in detecting occult breast carcinoma. Cytological or histological confirmation was obtained in all patients. Forty of 43 patients had axillary lymphadenopathy while three had lipoma, fibroadenoma and haematoma, respectively. Causes of malignant lymphadenopathy (n = 22) were metastatic diseases from non-mammary primary malignancy (n = 8), occult ipsilateral breast carcinoma (n = 5), and previous contralateral breast carcinoma (n = 9). Causes of benign lymphadenopathy (n = 18) were reactive nodal hyperplasia (n = 6), collagen vascular diseases (n = 2), and acute bacterial (n = 2) and tuberculous (n = 8) lymphadenitis. Nodal size was not significantly different between benign and malignant lymph nodes. Benign and malignant nodal margins were variable. Intranodal microcalcifications were found in two cases of breast carcinoma metastasis. Intranodal macrocalcifications were found in three cases of tuberculous lymphadenitis. Occult primary breast carcinoma was detected on mammograms in four of five patients with axillary lymphadenopathy due to ipsilateral breast carcinoma. Mammographical features of benign and malignant lymphadenopathy may be indistinguishable, but presence of intranodal calcifications is helpful. Mammography is also valuable in depicting occult primary breast carcinoma.     

Incidence of bone metastases in women with minimal and occult breast carcinoma.

A total of 42 women with proved minimal (14) or occult (28) breast carcinoma were evaluated for up to 48 months (mean = 28 months). Bone scans, radiographs, blood chemistries, enzyme levels, and operative findings demonstrated metastases only in those 6 patients (14%) who presented with symptomatic metastases from an unknown primary source. The other 36 women are free of metastases. Preoperative radionuclide bone scans may not be necessary for women with minimal and asymptomatic occult breast cancers.     

Prognostic value of axillary lymphoscintigraphy in breast carcinoma patients

Axillary lymphoscintigraphy (AxLS) with bilateral interdigital injection of [99mTc]antimony sulfide colloid carried out concurrently with internal mammary lymphoscintigraphy in 488 patients with breast carcinoma was evaluated. Patterns of radiocolloid distribution within the ipsilateral axilla and supraclavicular fossa were compared with similar features on the contralateral side to determine whether image characteristics are significantly disrupted by prior surgery, reflect the presence of metastases, and can predict treatment failure. Interpretive criteria for AxLS were refined after correlation of the identified image components with clinical parameters including axillary surgery, lymph node histology and relapse within a follow-up period of 2 years from the study. Results indicate that AxLS is at least as accurate as clinical assessment and provides data predictive of relapse to complement axillary lymph node status although the technique cannot presently replace lymph node sampling for patient staging.     

Mammography and breast sonography in transsexual women

Data on the necessity of performing screening mammographies in transsexual women are lacking. The main objective of this study was to assess the possibility to perform mammography and breast sonography in transsexual women.Fifty Dutch-speaking transsexual women were interviewed about the following: attitude towards mammography and breast sonography, importance attributed to and satisfaction with breast appearance, opinion about the necessity of breast check-up, expectations regarding discomfort during the exams and knowledge about the breast surgery. A fasting blood sample, clinical breast exam, mammography and breast sonography were performed. At mammography the following parameters were noted: density, technical quality, location of the prostheses, presence of any abnormalities and painfulness. At sonography the following parameters were recorded: density, presence of cysts, visualisation of retro-areolar ducts or any abnormalities.Twenty-three percent of patients are not aware of the type of breast implants and 79% do not know their position to the pectoral muscles. Patient satisfaction with the appearance of their breasts was rather high (7.94 on a scale of 0-10). Mean expected and experienced pain from mammography was low (4.37 and 2.00 respectively). There was no statistically significant difference in expected pain between those who already had mammography and those who did not. There was a significant positive correlation between the expected and the experienced pain.Mammography and breast sonography were technically feasible and no gross anomalies were detected. Since both exams were judged as nearly painless, 98% of transsexual women intended to come back if they would be invited. Since breast cancer risk in transsexual women is largely unknown and breast exams are very well accepted, breast screening habits in this population should not differ from those of biological women.     

Automated breast ultrasound: Supplemental screening for average-risk women with dense breasts

ObjectiveWe review ultrasound (US) options for supplemental breast cancer screening of average risk women with dense breasts.ConclusionPerformance data of physician-performed handheld US (HHUS), technologist-performed HHUS, and automated breast ultrasound (AUS) indicate that all are appropriate for adjunctive screening. Volumetric 3D acquisitions, reduced operator dependence, protocol standardization, reliable comparison with previous studies, independence of performance and interpretation, and whole breast depiction on coronal view may favor selection of AUS. Important considerations are workflow adjustments for physicians and staff.     

Risk factors and occult breast cancer in young women.

The National Cancer Institute guidelines for mammography in women 35--49 years old are challenged. Forty-nine occult breast cancer patients under 50 years of age were analyzed regarding risk factors and compared with an age-matched control group. Of the cancers, 86% would have been missed had NCI recommendations been followed. Results refuted the NCI guidelines and showed that late parity (over 28 years) and history of breast cancer in the extended family are statistically significant risk factors. Negative mode low-dose xeromammographic examinations permitted detection of 49 occult breast cancers, usually without axillary node metastases. Patients were screened because of risk factors enumerated in the article.     

Scintimammography with dedicated breast camera detects and localizes occult carcinoma.

This study assessed the utility of scintimammography using a standard gamma-camera and a dedicated breast camera as an adjuvant to mammography and clinical examination. METHODS: The study population comprised 37 patients with dense breasts and a family or personal history of breast cancer. The subjects had no suggestive clinical or mammographic findings. After intravenous administration of (99m)Tc-sestamibi, the patients were imaged using a conventional gamma-camera and a dedicated breast camera that allowed breast compression during image acquisition. Images were interpreted independently by 2 reviewers. All patients with positive scintimammography findings underwent biopsy. RESULTS: Dedicated breast camera results were positive in 13.5% (5/37) of patients. Biopsy of these 5 patients yielded 3 carcinomas: an infiltrating lobular carcinoma, a ductal carcinoma in situ, and an infiltrating tubular carcinoma. These 3 carcinomas were undetectable by clinical breast examination or mammography, even on retrospective review. Only one of these, the tubular carcinoma, was readily detectable by the standard gamma-camera. CONCLUSION: Scintimammography using a dedicated breast camera may augment mammography and clinical breast examination for the subset of women who have dense breast tissue and are at high risk of breast cancer.     

超声引导腋窝淋巴结穿刺活检在诊断乳腺癌腋窝淋巴结转移中的临床价值研究

目的：探讨超声及超声引导下穿刺活检（ UNB）在判断乳腺癌腋窝淋巴结转移中的临床应用价值。方法回顾分析2008年6月～2014年8月期间连续收治454例乳腺癌,超声判断腋窝淋巴结异常行UNB患者临床资料,其中354例行新辅助化疗;100例腋窝淋巴结UNB后行手术治疗,评价超声及UNB判断乳腺癌腋窝淋巴结转移的敏感性、特异性、准确性、阳性预测值、阴性预测值及假阴性率。结果454例超声影像学腋窝淋巴结异常乳腺癌患者UNB转移率为70．9％,阴性率为29．1％;100例腋窝淋巴结UNB后行手术治疗患者转移率为25％;13例淋巴结纵横径比值（L／T）≤1．5且淋巴结纵径＞1 cm患者转移率为92．3％;UNB判断乳腺癌腋窝淋巴结转移的敏感性为64．1％、特异性为100％、准确性为86％、阳性预测值为100％、阴性预测值为81．3％、假阴性率为18．7％;UNB判断结果与术后病理诊断结果的一致性较好, Kappa值为0．685;其中UNB取材2针与3针的上述6项指标分别为50％与77．8％、100％与100％、77．8％与92．5％、100％与100％、71．4％与89．7％、28．6％与10．3％,UNB取材3针相比2针与术后病理一致性分析显示,Kappa值为0．822／0．526。结论超声判断乳腺癌腋窝淋巴结转移具有一定的临床价值;UNB可准确判断腋窝淋巴结转移状态;UNB取材3针相比2针有更高的准确性。     

MRI评价乳腺癌腋窝淋巴结转移的价值

目的：探讨 MRI评估乳腺癌腋窝淋巴结转移的应用价值。方法对60例乳腺癌患者进行术前 MRI检查,评价乳腺内肿瘤最大径、瘤体最大信号增强率(SERmax )及同侧腋窝淋巴结的大小、形态、边缘、信号强度和强化方式,并与术后同侧腋窝淋巴结状态进行对照分析。结果60例乳腺癌患者 MRI显示28例同侧腋窝淋巴结有转移,病理证实22例腋窝淋巴结有转移。MRI 检出腋窝淋巴结转移的灵敏度、特异度、准确率为90.91%、78.95%、83.33%。57例同时行超声检查,超声检查诊断淋巴结转移的灵敏度、特异度、准确率分别为59.09%、94.29%、80.70%。腋窝淋巴结转移组淋巴结大小(1.20±0.59)cm,无转移组淋巴结大小(0.85±0.24)cm,2组间腋窝淋巴结大小差异有统计学意义(t=3.258,P=0.001<0.05)。腋窝淋巴结无转移与有转移组间乳腺内肿瘤 SERmax值差异有统计学意义(t=4.167,P=0.000<0.05),转移组 SERmax值大于无转移组。转移性淋巴结多表现为形态不规则,边缘不规整,信号强度及强化不均匀。结论乳腺 MRI能在检出乳腺癌的同时全面评价腋窝淋巴结,是术前评估腋窝淋巴结状态的有效检查方法。     

Value of axillary lymphoscintigraphy in patients with operated breast carcinoma

PURPOSE: To evaluate axillary dissection with axillary lymphoscintigraphy (ALS) in postoperative patients with breast carcinoma and its role in adjuvant radiotherapy (RT). Additionally, to define axillary dissection as complete and incomplete with ALS and to correlate it with the number of removed lymph nodes. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In the last two years, 121 women were studied four weeks after operation. Bilateral second interdigital subcutaneous injections were performed for ALS. Complete and incomplete axillary dissection were interpreted according to the number of surgically removed lymph nodes. ALS was interpreted as complete if no accumulation was shown. RESULTS: There was a good correlation between the number of surgically removed lymph nodes and complete and incomplete interpretation on ALS (p < 0.004). The number of removed lymph nodes was equal to or greater than 15 in 72% patients with complete dissection according to ALS. Of 48 patients with surgically incomplete axillary dissection, 18 (38%) showed no accumulation in the axillary region, while 25 of 68 (37%) patients with surgically complete dissection showed accumulation in the axillary region and were interpreted as incomplete according to ALS. Indication of RT was changed after ALS in patients with 1 to 3 involved lymph nodes. While RT was not considered in 12 of these patients before ALS, they were included in RT planning. On the other hand, 17 patients, considered for RT previously, were excluded from RT planning after ALS. CONCLUSION: Evaluation of axillary dissection with ALS especially in suspicious patients with 1 to 3 lymph node metastases might prevent unnecessary morbidity and can be useful in selecting patients who truly need axillary irradiation.     

Relationship between 18F-FDG uptake and breast density in women with normal breast tissue.

Breast density affects the mammographic detectability of breast cancer. The study aimed to evaluate the impact of breast density on the (18)F-FDG uptake of normal breast tissue. METHODS: The study population consisted of 45 women (median age, 54 y; age range, 42-77 y). All underwent whole-body (18)F-FDG PET for various indications other than breast cancer, and all underwent mammography within a mean of 6.6 +/- 4.9 mo of PET. On the basis of mammographic findings, breasts were categorized as extremely dense, heterogeneously dense, primarily fatty, or entirely fatty. Regions of interest were drawn on every PET image in which breast tissue was visualized. Average and peak standardized uptake values (SUVs) were calculated for the left and right breasts. RESULTS: Mammography showed that 20 of the 45 women had heterogeneously dense breasts, 1 had extremely dense breasts, 20 had primarily fatty breasts, and 4 had entirely fatty breasts. In dense breasts, the average SUV was 0.39 +/- 0.05 (right breast) and 0.36 +/- 0.07 (left breast) and the peak SUV was 0.93 +/- 0.16 and 0.89 +/- 0.18, respectively. The average and peak SUVs were significantly lower for primarily fatty breasts than for dense breasts (P < 0.01). Peak and average SUVs of entirely fatty breasts also differed significantly from peak and average SUVs of dense and primarily fatty breasts (P < 0.01). The impact of hormonal status on SUV was significant but less than the impact of breast density. No significant relationship between average SUV or peak SUV and age or serum glucose level was observed. CONCLUSION: Breast density and hormonal status affect the uptake of (18)F-FDG. Dense breasts exhibit, on average, significantly higher (18)F-FDG uptake than do nondense breasts. However, the highest peak SUV observed in dense breasts was 1.39, which is well below the SUV of 2.5 commonly used as a cutoff between benign and malignant tissue. Therefore, breast density is unlikely to affect the ability of (18)F-FDG PET to discriminate between benign and malignant breast lesions.     

X线致密型乳腺女性乳腺癌的专用双头伽玛显像筛查

目的比较专用双头伽玛显像与乳腺X线摄影在X线致密型乳腺女性乳腺筛查中的性能特点。材料与方法此项研究由学术委员会批准,符合HIPAA要求并获得知情     

Diagnostic accuracy of lightscanning and mammography in women with dense breasts.

The diagnostic accuracy of lightscanning and mammography in 610 breasts with mammographically dense parenchymal patterns was investigated. Lightscanning identified 31 out of 36 cancers and mammography 32. Lightscanning and mammography were in agreement in 28 cases of cancer. One noninvasive lobular carcinoma was not identified by either modality. Four cancers were not correctly identified with lightscanning alone and 3 cancers with mammography alone. Of the 574 breasts without cancer, lightscanning falsely denoted 101 (18%) as possibly being cancerous (false-positives). The corresponding figure for mammography was 25 (4%). Thus, lightscanning, as performed in this study, has the same sensitivity as mammography in detecting cancer in mammographically dense breasts. However, its usefulness is limited by a low predictive value of a positive test (high rate of false-positives).