Abstract
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of integrated interpretation of combined mammography (MMG) and ultrasonography (US) in comparison to evaluation with either MMG or US alone. We analyzed 4,941 breast cancer screenees between January 2006 and December 2007 at our institution. Each of the criteria for recall in MMG and US screening had already been established in Japan. The combined criteria (JABTS: The Japan Association of Breast and Thyroid Sonology: proposal) for both MMG and US were established for more effective recall in 2010. In this study, these criteria were used for evaluation. The number of cancer cases detected was 26 (0.53%). The recall rate (5.7%) based on the combined criteria was 2.6% lower than that (8.3%) for either MMG or US alone. The positive predictive value (PPV) was 2.9% higher for the former (9.2%) than for the latter (6.3%). Of the 128 cases that were negative on the basis of the combined criteria, 51 were concluded to be fibroadenomas or cysts by ultrasonography, whereas they were considered to require further examinations as well-circumscribed masses with MMG. Ninety-four of 128 negative cases had been re-screened up to December 2010, and 5 required further examinations. As a result, no malignant lesion was detected in any of the cases. In conclusion, the combined criteria for breast cancer screening by MMG and US are thought to be effective for improving PPV without any increase in the recall rate.
