The information derived from the mammographic history questionnaires of 450 breast cancer patients was collated and separated, comparing 332 post-menopausal and 118 pre-menopausal breast cancer patients. Our observations confirm the importance of risk factors in the development of breast cancer and show the similarity in the incidence of certain risk factors among pre- and post-menopausal breast cancer patients.
Seventy‐five occult cancers of the breast were found in a group of 7010 patients examined by xeroradiography, an incidence of 1% of all patients referred in a group practice setting. Nonpalpable cancers can be shown as a mass with or without calcifications, or as clustered calcifications only. A technique for preoperative localization of occult cancer is discussed. This, plus accurate marking of the surgical specimen, is important in the management of these cases.
One hundred and eighty-five breast cancers were demonstrated by xeroradiography in 6,238 patients. Sixty-two cancers were occult, and constituted one-third of the demonstrable breast cancers. Some of the patients with clinically nonpalpable carcinomas had high risk factors known to be associated with the development of breast cancer. The diagnosis was usually established and confirmed by wide excisional biopsy of the area containing the suspicious lesion. In some instances the lesion was localized preoperatively by xeroradiography using a technique of skin markings. Specimen xeroradiography was utilized if there were calcifications seen on the preoperative xeroradiograph. There was a significantly decreased incidence of axillary node metastases in the occult cases when compared to the dominant mass cases.
Xeromammography is a safe, low-dose type of breast x-ray study that often enables us to detect breast cancer before it is palpable and before it has metastasized. Xeromammographic identification of parenchymal pattern makes possible determination of risk of breast cancer and of appropriate intervals for follow-up mammographic examination. The real hazard is not in performing, but in omitting, xeromammography--a potentially lifesaving examination.
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