Electrical impedance scanning for the early detection of breast cancer in young women: preliminary results of a multicenter prospective clinical trial.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the feasibility and patient satisfaction with electrical impedance scanning (EIS) for early detection of breast cancer in young women.


METHODS
Women undergoing screening clinical breast examination, imaging, or biopsy were eligible for EIS examination with T-Scan 2000ED (Mirabel Medical Systems, Austin, TX). Multiple logistic regression analysis evaluated the association between clinical variables and EIS performance. Patients completed a screening EIS satisfaction questionnaire (1 = least satisfied to 5 = most satisfied).


RESULTS
Twenty-nine cancers were identified among 1,103 women. Sixty-six percent (19 of 29) of cancers were nonpalpable and 55% (16 of 29) were in women age < or = 50 years. EIS sensitivity and specificity in women younger than 40 years was 50% and 90%, respectively. Exogenous estrogen use (P < .001) and menopausal status (P = .007) correlated significantly with EIS performance. False-positive rates were increased in postmenopausal women and those taking exogenous hormones. No correlation was evident between EIS performance and family history, prior breast cancer, breast density, or palpability. EIS-positive women younger than age 40 were 4.5 times more likely to have breast carcinoma than were women randomly selected from the general population. Patients were highly satisfied with the comfort, speed, and reporting of EIS screening (mean score, 4.8).


CONCLUSIONS
EIS seems promising for early detection of breast cancer, and identification of young women at increased risk for having the disease at time of screening. Positive EIS-associated breast cancer risk compares favorably with relative risks of conditions commonly used to justify early breast cancer screening. Patients are satisfied with a screening paradigm involving breast EIS.
Stojadinovic
Alexander
A
Department of Surgery, Walter Reed Army Medical Center, 6900 Georgia Ave NW, Washington, DC 20307, USA. alexander.stojadinovic@na.amedd.army.mil
Nissan
Aviram
A
Gallimidi
Zahava
Z
Lenington
Sarah
S
Logan
Wende
W
Zuley
Margarita
M
Yeshaya
Arieh
A
Shimonov
Mordechai
M
Melloul
Moshe
M
Fields
Scott
S
Allweis
Tanir
T
Ginor
Ron
R
Gur
David
D
Shriver
Craig D
CD
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis*; D017097:Electric Impedance; D004967:Estrogens / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005189:False Positive Reactions; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000379:methods; D008593:Menopause; D008875:Middle Aged; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012307:Risk Factors; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity
D004967:Estrogens