Comparison of Ultrasound and Mammography With Pathologic Examination in Determining the Size of Malignant Breast Masses

Abstract

Estimation of breast tumor size is one of the most important diagnostic measures in determining the appropriate treatment. Mammography and ultrasound are the main methods for determining the size of breast tumors. The aim of this study was to compare the correlation between tumor size calculated by breast ultrasound and mammography with the results of pathologic measurements in malignant breast masses. Patients diagnosed with breast cancer by pathologic examination underwent mammography and ultrasound to determine the size of the tumor. The largest observed diameter in ultrasound and mammography was recorded as the tumor size. The mean (SD) tumor size measured by ultrasound (23.58±9.38 mm) was significantly less than the actual size based on histopathologic examination (28.87±11.17 mm) (P=0.008). However, there was no significant difference between the measurements performed between mammography (26.54±10.46 mm) and histopathology (P=0.18). The correlation coefficient between mammography and pathologic examination (r=0.61) was higher than the correlation coefficient between ultrasonography and pathology (r=0.5). Mammography, compared to breast ultrasound, had better accuracy in determining the size of malignant breast masses.