title: Outcomes evaluation for operative and nonoperative management of the abnormal mammogram.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  This study reviewed the outcome of women with an abnormal mammogram and no mass (n = 194).
  
  
  METHODS
  Patients were immediately biopsied (34%) or followed up mammographically (66%). Information was collected prospectively over a 13-year period.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Eight of those initially biopsied (12%) proved to be cancer. Of the remaining 129 patients, 20 were lost to follow-up, leaving 109 for further review. Thirty of these patients ultimately came to biopsy, with 5 (17%) proving to be cancer. Of those followed up mammographically and not biopsied, the majority (92%) of lesions either remained unchanged or resolved. The average follow-up time is 53 months. Biopsy was avoided in 51%. Of the 179 patients with follow-up information, 40 (23%) developed new lesions. Fourteen of these lesions have been biopsied, and 36% were cancer.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Most mammographic lesions resolve or remain unchanged. Women who have a lesion on mammography are at increased risk for further mammographic abnormalities.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, University of Utah, Salt Lake City 84132, USA.
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: McGreevy
authors.forename: T J
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Loftus
mesh_terms: D001706:Biopsy; D001940:Breast / Q000473:pathology; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D003627:Data Interpretation, Statistical; D004967:Estrogens / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008327:Mammography; D008875:Middle Aged; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D017698:Postmenopause; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D004967:Estrogens