Last update:
21-Jul-2000

Arch Hellen Med, 16(6), November-December 1999, 574-579

BRIEF REVIEW

Imaging diagnostic assessment in breast cancer

A. VOURTSI, L. VLAHOS
Department of Radiology, Breast Center, Areteion Hospital, Athens, Greece

Various population based trials have shown that mass screening using mammography can reduce breast cancer mortality by 21–30% in women in the 40–69 years age group. These surrogate measures of mortali ty reduction are as favorable for women aged 40–69 years as they are for women of 50–65 years, suggesting strongly that women in their 40s should be advised to be screened on an annual basis. It has been well established that ultrasound imaging has not proved useful for breast cancer screening, but it is a valuable tool for differentiation between cysts and solid masses. At present, contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance (MR) imaging of the breast is at investigational stage.

Kew words: Breast cancer, Breast MR imaging, Screening mammography, Ultrasound imaging.