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The number
of breast biopsies might be reduced by as much as 28 percent
if ultrasound was used to distinguish between benign and malignant
breast lumps, according to researchers at the University of
Michigan.
Researchers
analyzed 157 solid masses in 141 women. Of those masses, 59
were identified on a mammogram or an MRI and 98 could be felt.
Eleven
radiologists who specialized in breast imaging performed ultrasound
screenings and classified the masses as either benign or suspicious.
"If
we would have based the patient's follow-up on the radiologists'
diagnoses following the ultrasound examination, we would have
done 38 fewer biopsies reducing our biopsy rate by 28 percent,"
said Dr. Karen Hunt, senior staff radiologist and lead author
of the study presented at the annual meeting of the American
Roentgen Ray Society.
"If
we would have based the patient's follow-up on the Stavros
criteria, we would have done 24 fewer biopsies, reducing our
biopsy rate by 17 percent," Hunt said.
"It
is important to add that we could have reduced the biopsy
rate without missing any cancers," added Hunt. "All
55 cancers were classified as suspicious by radiologist gestault
and the Stavros criteria. At the same time, none of those
identified as being benign have turned out to be cancer."
Source:
Breast Cancer
Week of May 5, 2002
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