The impact of mammography on the patterns of patients referred for definitive breast irradiation
Article Abstract:
The use of mammography for breast cancer screening has made a significant impact upon survival of this disease. Furthermore, in addition to improved survival, early diagnosis also makes breast-conserving treatment possible for greater numbers of women. Most published reports focus on survival, which admittedly is of some considerable significance. Nevertheless, it is important to evaluate the effects of screening mammography on the various types of treatments for breast cancer. In a review of breast cancer patients treated from 1977 through 1988, 1,507 were found to have been treated with breast-conserving therapy followed by definitive irradiation. Over the period of study, mammographic screening had a profound effect. In 1977, three percent of the patients were referred for a mammographic needle localization biopsy of a non-palpable tumor. By 1988, the percentage had risen to 26 percent. Over this same period of time, the percentage of intraductal carcinomas rose from 6 to 13 percent. It should be pointed out that over this period of time clinicians developed a greater acceptance of breast-conserving therapy. Therefore, although some of the changes are due to increasing use of mammography, some result from changing trends in treatment, as well. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)
Publication Name: Cancer
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0008-543X
Year: 1990
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The detection of local recurrence after definitive irradiation for early stage carcinoma of the breast
Article Abstract:
The early diagnosis of breast cancer has resulted in many women being treated with breast-conserving surgery. However, it is critical that appropriate follow-up be maintained, as these patients are at very high risk for recurrence. To help characterize the patterns of recurrence, information from 145 breast biopsies performed on 139 breasts was analyzed. Overall, 52 percent of the biopsies were positive. Among patients with a positive mammogram but with no physical signs, the positive biopsy rate was 66 percent. For patients with physical signs, such as a palpable mass, but a negative mammogram, the positive biopsy rate was 28 percent. For patients with both physical signs and mammographic evidence, 72 percent of the biopsies were positive. Complications from the biopsy procedure occurred in seven of 81 patients; the remaining patients could not be evaluated for complications due to subsequent mastectomy. Aspiration biopsies were found to have a significantly smaller rate of positive findings, but this is to be expected since aspiration biopsies are usually reserved for lesions with a low suspicion of cancer. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)
Publication Name: Cancer
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0008-543X
Year: 1990
User Contributions:
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