Diagnostic value of contrast-enhanced computed tomography for diagnosing the intraductal component of breast cancer.
BACKGROUND
It is important to reduce local residual cancer to avoid local recurrence after breast conserving treatment. We therefore tried to detect the intraductal components and small invasive foci of breast cancers by contrast-enhanced helical computed tomography (CE-CT).


METHODS
In 122 women whose breasts were examined by CE-CT preoperatively, intraductal spread detected on ultrasound (US), mammography (MMG), and CE-CT, and extensive intraductal components (EICs) detected by histological examination were analyzed for correlations among the extent and subtypes of intraductal components, and deviations in tumor size.


RESULTS
EICs were present in 44 patients. The sensitivities of EIC detection by US, MMG, and CE-CT were 35%, 61%, and 88%, respectively, and the corresponding specificities were 83%, 86%, and 79%, respectively. The sensitivities of detecting EIC and small invasive foci were 34%, 57%, and 91%, respectively. In 5 patients, EIC could only be visualized by CE-CT. The median deviation of the size of intraductal spread revealed by CE-CT from pathological EIC was 0.0 cm (range + 3.0 to - 1.7 cm).


CONCLUSIONS
CE-CT is useful for visualizing intraductal spread and small invasive foci of breast cancer.
Akashi-Tanaka
S
S
Department of Surgical Oncology, National Cancer Center Hospital, Tokyo, Japan. sakashi@gan2.ncc.go.jp
Fukutomi
T
T
Miyakawa
K
K
Uchiyama
N
N
Tsuda
H
H
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D018270:Carcinoma, Ductal, Breast / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D003287:Contrast Media; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008327:Mammography; D008875:Middle Aged; D009361:Neoplasm Invasiveness / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods*
D003287:Contrast Media