Ultrasound (US) diagnosis of nonpalpable breast cancer.
BACKGROUND
Ultrasound (US) is a standard modality to diagnose breast diseases. To elucidate the usefulness of US in the diagnosis of nonpalpable breast cancers, we reviewed the cases that were treated at our institution.


METHODS
Of the 106 cancers that were operated upon at the Tsukuba University Hospital between February 2004 and March 2005, 12 cancers were nonpalpable. We reviewed their US findings, results of US-guided fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC), core biopsy results, and histological diagnoses.


RESULTS
On US, 9 tumors appeared as masses. The US observations were valuable, but a confirmatory diagnosis could not be made. US-guided FNAC was performed in 8 cases; malignancy was suspected in 6 cases. US-guided core biopsy was performed in 9 cases, and it was diagnostic in 7 cases.


CONCLUSIONS
Nonpalpable breast cancers can be effectively detected by US, and the diagnosis can be confirmed by US-guided FNAC or core biopsy.
Tohno
Eriko
E
Graduate School of Comprehensive Human Sciences, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305-8575, Japan.
Ueno
Ei
E
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001707:Biopsy, Needle; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D014463:Ultrasonography