Abstract
Objective: In breast cancer screening, detection rates for ductal cancer in situ (DCIS) have been increasing with advances in ultrasound (hereafter US) imaging diagnosis technology. Though DCIS with calcifications is readily detected in mammography (hereafter MMG), DCIS without them is difficult to detect with MMG. In the present study, we studied US images of DCIS detected in screening US as well as DCIS US images for cases that could be followed up with more detailed examinations at the hospital affiliated with our facility.
Methods: Among 49 cases of DCIS detected in screening including US between January 2005 and December 2010, we studied images of 29 cases in which it had been possible to detect DCIS in screening US. In addition, among non-detected cases in screening US, we studied US images for 19 cases that could be followed up with detailed examinations.
Results: 65.5% of the masses detected in screening US for DCIS where solid masses. With a mean diameter of 10.0 mm, many of the lesions presenting as solid masses were relatively small in size, were lobular or oval in form and had clear, smooth boundaries. Lesions detected as non-mass lesions were in hypoechoic areas, in all cases. For non-detected cases in screening US and hypoechoic areas, detection was possible through careful observation.
Conclusion: A relatively large number of US images of DCIS showed small masses with clear, smooth boundaries. While non-mass lesions were only seen in hypoechoic areas, in order not to overlook them, they should be examined in comparison with reference findings.
