Value of Ultrasound in the Detection of Benign and Malignant Breast Diseases: A Diagnostic Accuracy Study

Abstract

Mammography is the best technique for screening and identifying patients with non-mass-like breast lesions and microcalcifications. Considering the false positive and false-negative results, ultrasound is not a perfect screening modality. Future studies are recommended to study the value of ultrasound in the detection of high-risk breast cancer patients.

Ultrasound for Breast Cancer Screening in High-Risk Women: Results From a Population-Based Cancer Screening Program in China

“…Therefore, such limitation of mammography may limit the its screening efficacy in population having a high proportion of dense breast. Ultrasound has the potential of detecting small nodules and is also widely accessible and affordable in countries having limited and unbalanced health resources (8–10). The current breast cancer screening guidelines recommended that ultrasound could be served as an auxiliary screening method to mammography (5, 11).…”

Characteristics of Breast Masses of Female Patients Referred for Diagnostic Breast Ultrasound from a Saudi Primary Health Care Setting

“…Gharekhanloo et al (2018) conducted a study among 203 females and reported that the most common location of both benign and malignant breast masses detected on ultrasound was the upper outer quadrant. 2 However, the current study revealed that overlapping lesions were the most common site of breast masses, followed by the upper outer quadrant.…”

“…Data on sociodemographic characteristics, clinical presentation, breast ultrasound findings, and patient risk factors for breast cancer were collected through a researcher- designed checklist after reviewing similar studies. 2 , 4 , 12 , 15 Moreover, histopathological results were also reported, if performed. The authors collected the data by filling the checklists at the PHC center of IAU between January and March 2020.…”

“…According to a study in Iran among 203 females aged between 16 and 87 years, ultrasound was found to have high sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values for the detection of benign and malignant breast lesions and high diagnostic accuracy for palpable breast masses. 2 Ultrasound is the imaging of choice for evaluations of breast masses among females younger than 30 years, and it can be used in combination with other investigations, such as mammography, in older females. 3 Certain sonographic characteristics of breast masses were crucial to be described and reported to differentiate between benign and malignant diagnoses such as echogenicity, dimensions, margins, increase in vascularity, and the presence or absence of calcification.…”

“… 3 Certain sonographic characteristics of breast masses were crucial to be described and reported to differentiate between benign and malignant diagnoses such as echogenicity, dimensions, margins, increase in vascularity, and the presence or absence of calcification. 2 , 4 The Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System (BI-RADS) is a classification that was developed by the American College of Radiology to unify the interpretation of breast findings from ultrasound and mammography. It has seven main classes; these are designated as 0 to 6 represented levels of; needing further assessment, negative, benign, probably benign, suspicious, highly suspicious findings, and biopsy-proven malignancy, respectively.…”