Improved mammographic accuracy

Article Abstract:

Mammography is a procedure that uses X-rays to identify abnormal lumps in breasts that may be malignant tumors. The results of a recent survey indicate that only 25 to 41 percent of the women over the age of 50 undergo yearly mammograms. The most common reason that the mammograms were not performed was that it was not recommended by the patient's physician. In most cases mammography was not recommended because of the cost and because of previous reports indicating that this procedure is accurate in identifying malignancies in only 10 to 30 percent of the cases. This article describes the results of a study designed to determine if the combination of mammography and ultrasound could improve the diagnosis of breast malignancies. Mammograms were performed on 8,181 patients at Memorial Hospital Medical Center in Long Beach, California. After reviewing the mammograms, 670 patients were recalled for further examination because of abnormal findings. Ultrasound was performed on these patients and 92 patients were referred for a breast biopsy (analysis of a sample of breast tissue). Based on the biopsy results, cases of 42 breast cancer were diagnosed. These findings indicate that the accuracy of mammography can be improved to 46 percent when it is used in combination with ultrasound. The use of ultrasound as a second screening procedure for patients with abnormal mammograms prior to performing a breast biopsy reduces the overall cost of the testing and eliminates many unnecessary biopsies. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Ultrasound imaging, Diagnosis, Breast cancer, Breast, Needle biopsy, Breast biopsy

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Reliability of multimodal evaluation of abnormal screening mammogram results

Article Abstract:

A multimodal approach to evaluating women with abnormal mammogram results may reduce the need for surgical biopsies and may lower costs. Researchers screened 43,125 women with mammograms, and followed up 2866 (6.6%) women whose mammogram results were suspicious or unclear. Most of these women were assigned to routine follow-up because only benign changes were found. Needle biopsies were conducted on the remaining patients, leading to a diagnosis of cancer in 158. The multimodal approach reduced costs by limiting needle biopsies to women with suspicious results in two evaluations.

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Who will lead medicine in the new millennium?

Article Abstract:

The President of the Pacific Coast Obstetrical and Gynecological Society believes doctors must take the lead in reforming the US health care system. Even though the US spends more money on health care than any other country, 42 million Americans have no health insurance.

United States, Forecasts and trends, Health care industry, Health care reform

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