Predictive value of mammography in early detection of breast cancer: Analysis of histological findings in breast biopsies indicatedonly by mammography

From 1985 to 1989 breast biopsies were performed in 1835 patients with suspicious mammographic findings. Inasive cancers were diagnosed in 274 patients in-situ cancers in 186. The predictive value of mammography (0.33) was correlated with the age of patient, and compared with data in the literature. The prevalence of benign and malignant lesions was correlated with the mammographic features. We suggest that the predictive value of mammography, and the ration of noninvasive to invasive cancers detected would be optimal criteria for quality control ofOffprint requests to: I.Schreer