Abstract
Objective: Our objective was to clarify the limitations of screening mammography (MMG) conducted at our facility by comparing the findings for breast cancer not detected by medical check-up MMG (non-detected cancer by screening MMG) with those for MMG from an institution conducting more detailed medical examinations (diagnostic MMG).
Methods: From January 2007 to December 2011, among 90 cases of cancer not detected by medical check-up MMG in combination with ultrasound screening (US) at our facility, 36 were non-detected cancer by screening MMG. Based on the findings for these 36 cases, we compared the characteristics of non-detected cancer by screening MMG and non-detected cancer by diagnostic MMG.
Results: Over half of the 36 cases of non-detected cancer by screening MMG were also not detected by diagnostic MMG. However, through additional bi-planar, magnified and spot-compressed MMG, cancerous lesions were detectable. Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) with no calcification and infiltrating tumors of less than 10 mm in diameter tended to go undetected.
Conclusion: Our findings suggested that the detection capacity of MMG was limited. In this regard, we observed a tendency for non-infiltrating cancer, small diameter cancer and cancer with very little infiltration to go undetected. We therefore consider that MMG screening should be conducted in combination with US to improve detection rates.
