Reducing the cost of diagnosis of breast carcinoma: impact of ultrasound and imaging-guided biopsies on a clinical breast practice

BACKGROUND: The objective of this study was to determine whether the use of ultrasound and percutaneous breast biopsies in patients with screen-detected nonpalpable abnormalities can reduce benign open surgical biopsies of the breast without increasing cost or sacrificing detection of potentially curable breast carcinomas. METHOD: Using a computerized mammography database and consecutive logs of needle localization procedures and fine- and large core needle biopsies of a single university-based breast imaging practice, the authors determined the breast carcinoma yield and cost of diagnosis over a 14-year period and the changes that occurred over time with the sequential introduction of ultrasound, ultrasound-guided biopsies, and stereotactic biopsies. RESULTS: The overall breast carcinoma yield for needle localization biopsies of nonpalpable lesions increased from 21% in 1984 to 68% in 1998 (P < 0.0001). The yield for nonpalpable masses increased from 21% to 87% (P < 0.0001) over the same period. The selective use of ultrasound alone and percutaneous fine- and large core needle biopsy resulted in a substantial reduction in benign open surgical biopsies. A cost analysis showed a 50% reduction in the average expense of discovering breast carcinoma. The breast carcinomas detected after introduction of these methods were prognostically favorable with 88% measuring 1.5 cm or less in size and 66% measuring less than 1 cm. CONCLUSIONS: Selective use of ultrasound and imaging-guided percutaneous biopsies can significantly reduce the number of benign open surgical biopsies generated by mammographic screening. This can result in substantial cost savings without decreasing the sensitivity for detecting small potentially curable lesions.     

To乳腺癌的X线诊断

目的：总结Ｔｏ乳腺癌Ｘ线特征及与病理的关系。方法;对１２０例次乳腺Ｔｏ癌患者中,有乳腺Ｘ线检查的９７例次病例进行了回顾性分析。结果：Ｔｏ乳腺癌的Ｘ线检查阳性率为３２．９９％,可疑率２１．６５％,合计５４．６４％。Ｔｏ乳腺癌Ｘ线表现以局限致浸润及钙化为主,占Ｘ线阳性表现病例中６６％,以肿块为表现者罕见,仅３例。     

全数字化乳腺摄影及定位活组织检查在触诊阴性乳腺癌诊断中的应用

目的探讨全数字化乳腺摄影（FFDM）及定位活组织检查在触诊阴性乳腺癌诊断中的应用价值。方法回顾性分析42例临床触诊阴性,乳腺常规摄片提示有可疑乳腺癌征象,行定位活组织检查后经病理证实的乳腺癌病例的影像学表现。结果42例中,5例显示微小结节,8例显示局限性致密浸润,11例显示结构紊乱,18例显示微小钙化。病理类型为导管内癌23例,小叶原位癌2例,导管内癌伴早期浸润12例,浸润性导管癌3例,乳头状瘤癌变2例。全部病例均在定位导丝指引下行病灶切除,切除标本摄片确认属目标病灶。结论FFDM能清晰显示乳腺癌的直接和间接征象,结合定位活组织检查对临床触诊阴性乳腺癌的诊断具有重要价值。     

Bilateral breast cancer after cured Hodgkin's disease

Three patients developed bilateral breast cancer at 10 to 24 years after mantle irradiation for locally or systemically advanced Hodgkin's disease (HD). Four of the six cancers in the three patients were detected only by mammography. Pathologically, five of the cancers were intraductal carcinomas (four with an invasive component) with one being a lobular carcinoma. Five of the six lesions were Stage I pathologically without evidence of axillary nodal involvement. It is recommended that female patients with Hodgkin's disease who have received mantle irradiation as part of the therapy for their Hodgkin's disease and who are observed for 10 or more years after completion of mantle irradiation be considered at risk for the development of breast cancer. Such patients should be monitored appropriately by routine bilateral mammograms to increase the early detection of early stage lesions.     

Localization of occult breast lesions

Localizing nonpalpable suspicious lesions seen by mammography is a challenge to the surgeon. Using a previously reported technique we report our experience in 66 needle localization procedures for nonpalpable lesions of which fourteen were carcinoma. We emphasize the ease and accuracy of this technique with minimal loss of breast substance.     

Is Stereotactic Large-Core Needle Biopsy Beneficial Prior to Surgical Treatment in BI-RADS 5 Lesions?

INTRODUCTION: Due to screening mammography, more nonpalpable mammographic lesions warrant histological evaluation. Stereotactic large-core needle biopsy (SLCNB) has been shown to be as effective in diagnosing these lesions as diagnostic surgical excision, and has become the preferred diagnostic procedure for most mammographic lesions. Since radiologically malignant BI-RADS 5 lesions are almost always carcinoma, some centers advocate prompt diagnostic surgical excision for these lesions instead of SLCNB. For some patients this diagnostic surgical intervention may serve as definitive treatment. We set out to find a subgroup of mammographic BI-RADS 5 lesions for which surgical biopsy might be preferable. METHODS: Of 1644 consecutive nonpalpable lesions referred for SLCNB between April 1997 and May 2002, 238 were classified as BI-RADS 5. We assessed the number of carcinomas and the surgical interventions performed. Outcomes were compared between various types of mammographic lesions: density with calcifications, density without calcifications, and calcifications only. Different theoretical strategies for diagnostic work-up of BI-RADS 5 lesions were explored. RESULTS: Carcinoma was found in 229/238 lesions (96%). Most mammographic densities were invasive cancer (97%), while calcifications only showed the highest risk for DCIS (51%). In our study (current practice) all lesions were scheduled to first undergo SLCNB. A scenario was proposed where all lesions with only a density would be scheduled directly for sentinel node biopsy (SNB) and tumour excision (n = 154; 65%), while other lesions would still be scheduled for SLCNB. When we compared this scenario to current practice, four out of 238 patients (< 2%) would be 'overtreated' with SNB. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings confirm a high predictive value of malignancy for BI-RADS 5 lesions (96%). Surgical excision is therefore imperative for all BI-RADS 5 lesions, irrespective of SLCNB results. For BI-RADS 5 lesions presenting as mammographic densities only, we propose to consider surgical excision with SNB to be the first diagnostic and therapeutic procedure. SLCNB is preferred in all other cases.     

Has monitoring of the contralateral breast improved the prognosis in patients treated for primary breast cancer?

Bilateral breast cancer has a cumulative incidence of about 7% in patients with primary operable breast cancer, and most of these lesions are metachronous. Most retrospective studies have shown that a majority of these patients have invasive cancer in the second breast, and varying percentages have nodal metastases, which may be of a higher stage than the first cancer. Physicians are now more aware of the importance of careful monitoring of the second breast after ipsilateral mastectomy, and improvements have been made in mammographic surveillance. A retrospective, comparative analysis of two separate breast cancer populations at risk for bilateral breast cancer was done on patients who entered into the system before effective mammographic monitoring (BEM) and after effective mammographic monitoring (AEM). The first group of patients consisted of 500 consecutive patients with primary breast cancer diagnosed during the years 1969 through 1975, of whom 37 (7.4%) had bilateral breast cancer. The second group consisted of 557 consecutive patients diagnosed during the years 1977 through 1984, of whom 36 (6.5%) had bilateral breast cancer. The staging percentages of the second breast cancer in the BEM group were Stage 0, 5.4%; Stage I, 48.6%; Stage II, 10.8%; Stage III, 21.6%; and Stage IV, 13.5%. The second group had an improvement in stage, with 33.3% being Stage 0, 22.2% Stage I, 29.6% Stage II, 3.7% Stage III, and 3.7% Stage IV (P less than 0.05). The median interval between primary lesions was 39 months in the first group and 19 months in the second group (in part, this difference may represent increased identification of synchronous cancers). The second breast cancer was undetected by mammography in 9 of 34 (26%) patients. Six were detected by contralateral biopsy (all were lobular carcinomas in situ), and three were found by clinical examination (all were invasive cancers). It was concluded that more aggressive monitoring of the second breast by frequent clinical examination, mammography, and selected contralateral biopsy appears to have increased the early detection rate of second breast cancers in patients under observation.     

Definitive irradiation for early stage breast cancer: The University of Pennsylvania experience

From 1977 to 1984, 552 breast cancers in 548 women were treated with definitive irradiation following breast-conserving surgery at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania and the Fox Chase Cancer Center. All patients had invasive carcinoma and were AJC clinical Stage I or II. Pathologic axillary lymph node staging was known for all cases. The 5-year actuarial survival for the entire group was 93% with an NED survival of 81%. The 5-year survival for clinical Stage I and II patients was 97 and 87%, respectively, with a corresponding NED survival of 87 and 73%, respectively. For pathologic Stage I and II patients, the corresponding survival figures were 97 and 89%, respectively, with NED survival rates of 86 and 76%, respectively. The overall 5-year actuarial local failure rate was 6%, and the rate of local only as the first failure was 3%. The overall local-regional failure rate was 13% with a local-regional only first failure rate of 8%. These results compare favorably with other reported series and contribute a substantial number of patients to the increasing experience with definitive irradiation following breast-conserving procedures. The relatively low incidence of breast recurrence may be related to the emphasis on integrating the surgical, pathologic, and radiotherapeutic aspects of treatments, as well as the emergence of a re-excision policy for patients at high risk to have residual tumor.     

全数字化俯卧式X 线立体钢丝定位术在乳腺微钙化病灶中的应用价值*

目的:探讨X 线立体定位钢丝引导切取活检术（SWLB）对乳腺微钙化病灶的临床应用价值。方法:回顾性分析2007年5 月至2008年5 月南方医科大学附属深圳妇幼保健院45例行SWLB 活检的乳腺隐匿性病变,所有病例均为临床触诊阴性而乳腺X 线摄影发现微钙化病灶,将活检标本病理结果与X 线表现进行对照。结果:45例SWLB 活检组织标本病理结果中恶性病变13例（28.9%）,其中包括导管原位癌3 例（23.1%）,导管原位癌伴微浸润4例（30.8%）,浸润性导管癌5 例（38.5%）,导管内乳头状癌1 例（7.7%）;良性病变32例（71.1%）,其中包括导管上皮重度非典型增生2 例（6.3%）。 结论:SWLB 可准确引导切检临床阴性的乳腺微钙化病灶,明确乳腺微钙化的性质,提高早期乳腺癌的检出率。      

Diagnostic performance of stereotactic large core needle biopsy for nonpalpable breast lesions in routine clinical practice

The COBRA (COre Biopsy after RAdiological localization) study showed that in a controlled study setting, stereotactic large core needle biopsy (LCNB) is as reliable for diagnosing nonpalpable breast lesions as open surgical biopsy. In the present study, we evaluated the diagnostic performance of stereotactic LCNB in routine clinical practice. Between February 2000 and June 2002, data on all patients (n = 955) with nonpalpable breast lesions referred for LCNB were collected. High risk underestimate rate, ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) underestimate rate and sensitivity rate after 2 years were calculated. The usefulness of the COBRA guidelines in clinical practice was determined. Nine hundred five successful biopsies were performed in 874 patients. Of the high-risk lesions, 27% were found to be carcinomas on open biopsy, which is comparable to the results of the COBRA study (23%). The DCIS underestimate rate (28%) was higher than found in the COBRA study (17%). No carcinomas were missed after a follow-up period of 2 years. Ninety-six percent of patients were treated according to the COBRA guidelines. The diagnostic performance of stereotactic LCNB in patients with nonpalpable breast lesions seems to be comparable in a controlled study setting and routine clinical practice.     

Proliferative disease and atypia in biopsies performed for nonpalpable lesions detected mammographically

A recent study of risk factors for breast cancer indicated elevated risks of 5.3 and 1.9 times, respectively, for women with biopsy specimens showing atypical hyperplasia (AH) and proliferative disease without atypia. These risks increase to 11 and 3.2 times, respectively, in women who also have a family history of breast cancer. This study reviews lesions detected mammographically in a series of patients with documented risk factors. The pathologic specimens of 100 consecutive localization breast biopsies performed for nonpalpable abnormalities detected mammographically were reviewed and classified according to the criteria of Dupont and Page in order to determine the incidence of AH and proliferative breast disease. The mammographic characteristics and historical risk factors of these women also were correlated. Twenty percent of the biopsy specimens showed carcinomas, 55% of which were noninvasive. AH was found in an additional 10% of the biopsy specimens, whereas proliferative disease without atypia occurred in 21% of the biopsy specimens. Forty-nine percent of the biopsy specimens showed nonproliferative changes. This study demonstrated that mammography, in addition to its ability to detect small nonpalpable cancers, identifies a high percentage (31% in this series) of women with pathologic lesions known to have an elevated risk for subsequent breast cancer. The current impetus for large-scale mammographic screening of asymptomatic women mandates the development of rational therapeutic protocols to accommodate the widening spectrum of high-risk pathologic lesions found in these selected populations.     

Can the clinical and mammographic findings at presentation predict the presence of an extensive intraductal component in early stage breast cancer?

The presence or absence of an extensive intraductal component (EIC) in early stage infiltrating ductal breast carcinoma has been considered to be an important factor in determining the extent of breast resection required prior to radiation therapy. It would therefore be useful if the presence or absence of an extensive intraductal component in a breast tumor could be predicted pre-operatively. To determine whether selected radiographic features might be correlated with whether or not a cancer is EIC+, we reviewed the pre-operative mammographic findings in 105 cases of Stage I and II infiltrating ductal carcinoma. Forty-one cases were EIC+ and 64 were EIC-. Both EIC+ and EIC- tumors were commonly detectable by mammography (93% and 83%, respectively, p = NS). EIC+ cancers, however, were significantly more likely to show microcalcifications with or without a mass compared to EIC- cases (83% vs 27%, p less than 0.0001). In particular, the presence of microcalcifications without a mammographic mass was more common for EIC+ cancers than EIC- cancers (34% vs 5% p = 0.0002). Conversely, a soft tissue mass without microcalcifications was seen mammographically in 56% of EIC- cases, compared to only 10% of EIC+ cases (p less than 0.0001). Predictive value calculations showed that the presence of microcalcifications in the absence of a mammographic mass conveys a 73% likelihood a cancer will be EIC+ (95% confidence interval = 39-94%). The positive predictive value of a mammographic mass or architectural distortion without microcalcifications for an EIC- cancer was 92% (95% confidence interval = 79-98%). We conclude that the mammographic findings may be useful pre-operatively in differentiating between patients with and without an EIC. Microcalcifications are much more commonly associated with EIC+ cancers than EIC- cancers, and the presence of an EIC- cancer without a mammographic mass is infrequent. Further characterization of the extent and pattern of microcalcifications might improve the predictive value of mammography in the pre-operative identification of patients with an EIC.     

MRI导丝定位术对仅MRI显示的乳腺病变的诊断价值

目的:初步探索MRI导丝定位术对仅MRI显示的乳腺微小病变的诊断价值。方法:使用Toshiba 1.5T VISART超导MRI仪,八通道相控阵乳腺专用线圈,专用导丝及定位系统,对16例患者19处仅MRI显示、BI-RADS分类为4类及以上的乳腺微小隐匿病灶进行导丝定位术。根据MRI检查可疑病灶的部位,结合专用软件进行测量计算,选择外侧位、内侧位,精准定位进针,观察操作方式及定位准确性,准确划定手术区域位置及范围,定位结束后送病人行外科手术切除,结合手术病理结果进行对比分析。结果:16例患者19个病灶均一次定位成功,病理切片证实病变完全成功切除,成功率为100%。术前MRI综合诊断BI-RADS分类4A类5处,4B类6处,4C类6处,5类2处;病理包括:导管内多发乳头状瘤3处(其中1例伴不典型增生),中度不典型增生2处,重度不典型增生5处,导管内癌4例,导管内癌伴微浸润1例,浸润性乳腺癌1例,大汗腺化生伴导管上皮增生1例,硬化性腺病伴筛状增生1例,微小纤维腺瘤1例,术前MRI诊断结论与术后病理结果对照,诊断符合率为84.21%（16/19）。结论:对X线、超声无法检出,临床触及阴性,仅MRI显示的乳腺微小隐匿性病灶,应用MRI进行初步定性诊断,对BI-RADS分类4A类及以上的病灶进行MRI导丝定位术,是一种早期、安全、准确可靠的方法,弥补了X线、超声诊断的不足及假阴性的发生,提高了早期乳腺癌、导管内癌及不典型增生的精准诊治水平,是对乳腺X线和超声引导乳腺导丝定位术的重要补充。     

The detection of local recurrence after definitive irradiation for early stage carcinoma of the breast. An analysis of the results of breast biopsies performed in previously irradiated breasts

One hundred forty-five breast biopsies were performed in 139 treated breasts to evaluate for potential recurrent carcinoma of the breast in women previously treated with definitive breast irradiation for early stage carcinoma of the breast. One hundred thirty-four patients had undergone one breast biopsy, four patients had undergone two breast biopsies, and one patient had undergone three breast biopsies. The median interval from completion of definitive irradiation to breast biopsy was 28 months (range, 2 to 117 months). Of the 145 breast biopsies, 52% (76 of 145) were positive, and 48% (69 of 145) were negative. The positive biopsy rate was related to the type of biopsy, the location of the biopsy, and the findings on physical examination and mammography. In patients with a negative physical examination but mammographic findings of a mass, microcalcifications, or both, the positive biopsy rate was 66% (25 of 38). For patients with a mass on physical examination but a negative mammogram, the positive biopsy rate was 28% (nine of 32). For patients with a mass on physical examination and a positive mammogram, the positive biopsy rate was 72% (13 of 18). For patients undergoing an incisional or Tru-Cut (Travenol Laboratories, Deerfield, IL) needle biopsy, the positive biopsy rates were 94% (15 of 16) and 75% (three of four), respectively, whereas the positive biopsy rate for an aspiration cytology was 25% (five of 20). Of the 76 positive biopsies, 64% (49 of 76) were from an in field or marginal location. The rate of detection of a subsequent local recurrence after an initial negative biopsy was 5% (three of 66). Of the evaluable patients, the complication rate was 9% (seven of 81). This study has documented the results of breast biopsies after definitive irradiation for early stage carcinoma of the breast.     

Enhanced detection of preinvasive breast cancer: combined role of mammography and needle localization biopsy

Several recent reports have described an increase in the incidence of preinvasive carcinoma of the breast. To determine the incidence of preinvasive breast cancer at our institution, the results of 469 consecutive outpatient breast biopsies performed at Walter Reed Army Medical Center between July 1, 1985, and January 1, 1987, were reviewed. During this time period, 256 biopsies were performed on palpable masses, and 213 needle localization biopsies were performed on mammographically suspicious lesions. The overall incidence of cancer was 15.4%. Needle localization biopsies yielded a diagnosis of cancer in 17.8% of cases, as did 13.3% of biopsies performed on palpable masses. Eight of 38 (21.1%) carcinomas identified by mammography were preinvasive at the time of diagnosis. Only one of 34 (2.9%) cancers identified because of a breast mass was preinvasive. We conclude that screening mammography is an invaluable tool for the detection of preinvasive carcinoma of the breast and that the increased use of mammography will result in an increase in the incidence of detection of this lesion.     

Needle localization breast biopsy: A model for multidisciplinary quality assurance

As part of the quality assurance role of the Cancer Committee at Barnes Hospital, an institutional audit of Needle Localization Breast Biopsy (NLBB) was performed. Mammographic, operative, and surgical pathology reports from 370 consecutive patients at our institution undergoing both mammography and needle localization biopsy over a 34-month interval were reviewed. Carcinoma was diagnosed pathologically in 103 patients (28%), and 27% of these proved to be noninvasive. Sixteen patients were found to have histologic or clinical involvement of the axillary nodes; no patients with Tis lesions were found to have axillary nodal involvement. Of the patients, 73% were found to have either Stage 0 or Stage I disease, and 61% with an established malignancy had mastectomy (67% of patients with invasive carcinoma, 44% of those with carcinoma-in-situ), whereas 39% had some form of conservation therapy (33% of patients with invasive lesions, 56% of those with carcinoma-in-situ). Our results have been compared with other published studies, and important clinical indicators for evaluating the results of individual centers performing NLBB are discussed. It is concluded that NLBB is a safe and effective method of biopsying nonpalpable breast lesions, which allows for the identification of early stage breast carcinomas. In the present environment of concerns about the quality of care and costs, it is the responsibility of each center performing NLBB periodically to evaluate their results with this multidisciplinary procedure and to bring about change in those areas found to be deficient. © 1995 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Carcinoma detection at the breast examination center of Harlem

BACKGROUND: Breast carcinoma is one of the leading causes of excess mortality rates in Harlem, an inner-city neighborhood with the highest mortality rates and worst life expectancy in New York City. This study reports the results of a breast carcinoma screening and diagnostic program in Harlem. METHODS: Retrospective review was performed of a database of 49,750 visits to the Breast Examination Center of Harlem from 1995 to 2000. During this period, 181 breast carcinomas were diagnosed in 178 women. The medical records of these 178 women were reviewed to determine the method of detection, stage, and treatment. RESULTS: Among these women, 89% were black or Hispanic, 45% had no medical insurance, and 38% had incomes below federal poverty guidelines. Breast carcinoma stage, known for 167 carcinomas, was Stage 0 in 38 (23%), Stage I in 38 (23%), Stage II in 63 (38%), Stage III in 24 (14%), and Stage IV in 4 (2%). Fifty-six cases (34%) were minimal breast carcinomas. Of 181 breast carcinomas, 122 (67%) were palpable and 59 (33%) were nonpalpable, detected only by mammography in asymptomatic women. Nonpalpable, as opposed to palpable, breast carcinomas were significantly more likely to be ductal carcinoma in situ (30 of 55 [54%] vs. 8 of 112 [7%], P < 0.0000001) or minimal breast carcinoma (39 of 55 [71%] vs. 17 of 112 [15%], P = 0.0000001) and were more likely to be treated with breast-conserving surgery (47 of 56 [84%] vs. 76 of 110 [69%], P < 0.04). CONCLUSIONS: A breast carcinoma screening and diagnostic program has been established in Harlem, a traditionally underserved area in New York City. Early, curable breast carcinomas were detected but outreach remains a challenge, particularly for the uninsured.     

Definitive irradiation for intraductal carcinoma of the breast

During the period from 1978 to 1985, 51 women with intraductal carcinoma of the breast were treated with definitive irradiation following breast-conserving surgery. Surgical treatment of the primary tumor in all patients consisted of excisional biopsy or wide resection. In general, definitive irradiation consisted of conventional breast tangents to 4500-5000 cGy followed by a breast boost to a total dose of 6000-6600 cGy (median = 6000 cGy; range = 4200-6600 cGy). No patient was treated with radiation to a supraclavicular or axillary field. For the 51 patients, the median follow-up was 68 months (range = 25-126 months). The 5-year actuarial rate of local failure was 6%. A total of five patients failed in the breast at 19, 35, 40, 79, and 119 months following definitive irradiation. Salvage treatment in these five patients consisted of mastectomy in all five patients plus adjuvant tamoxifen in one patient. All five of the patients with breast failures are alive and NED (no evidence of disease), although with limited follow-up (median = 12 months; range = 6-68 months). These results suggest that definitive irradiation is an acceptable alternative to conventional mastectomy for appropriately selected and staged patients with intraductal carcinoma of the breast. In view of the long natural history of this disease, prolonged and careful follow-up of these patients is required.     

不可触及的乳腺病灶行钼靶下导丝定位活检的临床应用

目的:探讨应用乳腺钼靶下导丝定位穿刺活检技术对不可触及的乳腺病变(NPBL)定性诊断上的价值。方法:本组24例不可触及,而钼靶上显示的乳腺微小病变,通过钼靶立体定位穿刺,放入导引钢丝定位后引导手术切除,进行组织病理学检查。结果:24例乳腺病变,乳腺癌5例,其中Tis期3例,T1期2例;小叶增生12例,纤维腺瘤3例,导管内乳头状瘤1例,慢性炎症3例。结论:钼靶引导下导丝定位穿刺活检对不可触及的乳腺病变的定位定性诊断以及对早期乳腺癌的诊断有重要价值。     

Correlation between mammography and the pathology of nonpalpable breast lesions

One hundred consecutive needle localization biopsies were performed for nonpalpable breast lesions discovered on low-dose mammography of asymptomatic women between June, 1984, and August, 1986. Malignant disease was found on 21 biopsies. Four were carcinoma in situ, and 17 were infiltrating carcinomas. Only three of the infiltrating carcinomas had metastasized to regional nodes, as confirmed by subsequent axillary dissection. Two of these metastatic tumors involved two nodes and the third only one. The findings on the remaining 79 biopsies were benign. Forty-eight mammograms were read as "benign"; all (100%) were benign pathologically. Thirty-one mammograms were considered "malignant"; 19 (61%) were malignant pathologically. Only two of the 21 mammograms given "suspicious" interpretations were malignant. Microcalcifications correlated with malignancy only 30% of the time (12/42).