64P Mammography and Ultrasonography Reports Compared with Tissue Diagnosis: An Evidence-Based Study, Iran, 2010

Abstract

IntroductionBreast cancer is the most prevalent cancer and the fifth most frequent cause of cancer death in Iranian women. Early detection and treatment are important for appropriate management of this disease. Mammography and ultrasonography are used for screening and evaluation symptomatic cases and the main diagnostic test for breast cancer is pathology. In this study we evaluate mammography and ultrasonography as diagnostic tools. MethodsIt is a cross-sectional study evaluating 384 mammography and ultrasonography reports belonging to 255 women. According to these reports, patients were divided into two groups. The suspected cases were referred for pathology evaluation. The radiologic and pathologic reports were compared and comparison was performed based on age groups (more or less than 50 years old), history of breastfeeding and gravidity. Statistical analysis was performed by SPSS. ResultsThe mean ages of malignant and benign cases were 49 ± 11.6 and 43 ± 11.2 years, respectively. Sensitivity and specificity for mammography were 73% and 55%, respectively. Sensitivity and specificity for ultrasonography were 69% and 51%, respectively. There were statistical differences between the specificity of mammography in patients with or without history of gravidity, with or without history of breastfeeding and sensitivity between patients aged 50 or more and those less than 50 years old. ConclusionFactors affecting different results in mammography and ultrasonography reports were classified into three groups consisting of: skill, experience and training of medical staff, and setting of instrument. It is recommended that health managers in developing countries pay attention to the quality of setting and manpower more than is currently the status. Policy makers and managers must develop guidelines regarding breast imaging in Iran. DisclosureAll authors have declared no conflicts of interest.