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. 2012 Sep;15(3):344-9.
doi: 10.4048/jbc.2012.15.3.344. Epub 2012 Sep 28.

Ultrasonographic characteristics of mammographically occult small breast cancer

Pornpim Korpraphong  1 , Oranan Tritanon, Woranuj Tangcharoensathien, Tamnit Angsusinha, Suebwong Chuthapisith
Affiliations

Ultrasonographic characteristics of mammographically occult small breast cancer

Pornpim Korpraphong et al. J Breast Cancer. 2012 Sep.

Erratum in

  • J Breast Cancer. 2012 Dec;15(4):482

Abstract

Purpose: To analyze significant ultrasonographic findings of small malignant breast mass (≤10 mm) which were occult on mammography.

Methods: The study included 190 small breast masses (≤10 mm), demonstrated on breast ultrasonography, but not mammography. Histopathology (when the masses were biopsied) or serial breast ultrasonography (for at least 24 months) were used to confirm benign or malignant condition of the masses. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis were used to identify significant characteristic malignant findings on ultrasonography.

Results: Of 190 masses, 46 were cancer, and 144 were benign. On multivariate analyses, irregular shape (odds ratio [OR], 10.4) and not circumscribed margin (OR, 31.6) were significant features to differentiate between benign and malignant breast masses. However, low width/anteroposterior ratio, echogenic halo, hypoechogenecity and posterior acoustic shadow, which were predictors for malignancy in large breast mass, were not documented in small mass.

Conclusion: In conclusion, irregular shape and not circumscribed margin detected during ultrasonography were strong predictive signs of malignancy for small malignant breast mass.

Keywords: Breast; Carcinoma; Ultrasonography.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that they have no competing interests.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Ultrasonographic findings of malignant and benign breast masses. (A) A mass of invasive ductal carcinoma with irregular shape, not circumscribed margin and hypoechoicity (arrows). (B) A mass of invasive ductal carcinoma with oval shape, not circumscribed margin and hypoechoicity (arrows). (C) A mass, confirmed to be fibroadenoma, showed an oval shape mass, circumscribed margin and hypoechoicity (arrows).
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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