Aims and objectives
As is known,
microcalcification is one of the most pathognomonic symptoms of breast cancer in situ [1].
The "gold standard" for the identification of breast microcalcifications is digital mammography[2].
It allows detection of microcalcifications,
assessment of its distribution,
extent,
shape,
location and size[3].
Additionally,
biopsies in case of microcalcifications are performed under the X-ray control.
However,
the search for a safer and more convenient way of visualizing microcalcifications continues,
and ultrasound,
according to some authors,
has the greatest potential in diagnosing of such lesions[4].
Some...
Methods and materials
This study was a prospective clinical trial conducted from January 2016 to July 2016.
A total of 52 consecutive female patients [50.4-60.0 (mean 54.5±2.5) years of age],
who attended Astana City Oncologic Center within the framework of the Kazakhstan mammography screening program and fulfilled the inclusion criteria: voluntary participation in the breast cancer screening program; no history of previous breast cancer; screening mammography findings rated as BI-RADS 4; the presence of visible on mammogram microcalcifications without associated breast mass; and available histopathology as a reference...
Results
Concerning the distribution of the microcalcifications,
in 29 cases (56%) they were classified as clustered,
in 13 cases (25%) as linear (Figure 1),
and in 10 cases (19%) as segmental (Figure 2).
The number of microcalcifications per squared centimeter: below 10 per sq.cm – 24 (46%),
10-25 microcalcifications per sq.cm- 19 cases (37%),
and more than 25 microcalcification per sq.cm -9 cases (17%) (Table 1)
Of 52 screening women examined,
12 (23%) were diagnosed with breast malignancy (eight invasive cancers,
four DCIS),
and 40 (77%)...
Conclusion
In screening patients with BI-RADS 4 microcalcifications the sensitivity of the “MicroPure” technology was relatively low from 37% to 68% for different types of microcalcifications.
These results do not contradict the results of the previous studies,
which reported that only 23 to 25% of the microcalcifications can be detected by “MicroPure”[8,9].
Although the sensitivity of the technology was low,
its specificity for segmental and linear types of microcalcifications in this study was 100%.
The relatively low sensitivity of the “MicroPure” in the detection of microcalcifications...
References
1.
Yu P.-C.et al.
Clustered microcalcifications of intermediate concern detected on digital mammography: Ultrasound assessment // The Breast.
- 2011.
- Vol.
20,
№6.
- P.
495–500.
2.
Andersen M.
The detection of breast microcalcifications with medical ultrasound//The Journal of Acoustical Society of America.-1998.-Vol.101,
№1.- https://doi.org/10.1121/1.417973
3.
Moon W.
et al.
US of mammographically detected clustered microcalcifications//Radiology.-2000.-Vol.217.-P.849-854
4.
Nagashima T.
et al.
Ultrasound demonstration of mammographically detected microcalcifications in patients with ductal carcinomain situof the breast//Breast cancer.-2005.-Vol.12,
№3.-P.216-220
5.
Kamiyama N.
et al.
Investigation of...