Ultrasound demonstration of small breast cancers detected by mammographic screening.
The visibility on ultrasound (US) of 79 screen-detected small breast cancers was studied retrospectively. Overall visibility on US was 61% (48/79). Cancers presenting as microcalcification alone on mammography were rarely demonstrated (1 of 26 tumours). However, the US visibility of cancers with other mammographic appearances was 88.7% (47/53). The majority of cancers were impalpable but were demonstrated using free-hand ultrasound. All cancers visible on US appeared as hypoechoic masses with three quarters of these showing distal attenuation. US is useful in assessing and localizing small cancers detected by mammographic screening.
Breast Screening and Assessment Centre, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Gateshead, Tyne and Wear.
A J
AJ
Potterton
D J
DJ
Peakman
J R
JR
Young
D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008403:Mass Screening; D011859:Radiography; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016217:Ultrasonography, Mammary