Abstract

BackgroundBreast cancer is a progressive disease, with conditions secondary to primary breast cancer being among the more common causes of malignancy-related deaths in women. Early diagnosis can halt disease progression and significantly improve patient's survival. Microcalcifications detected on mammograms may be an indicator of breast cancer. This study assessed the diagnostic accuracy of microcalcifications seen on mammograms for the detection of malignant breast disease when compared with histopathology.Materials and methodsThis study enrolled 144 women referred to the Radiology Department of Aga Khan University Hospital in Karachi, Pakistan, for mammograms and who were found to have suspicious microcalcifications, for which they underwent subsequent biopsy with histopathology over one year. The accuracy of microcalcifications, along with their sensitivity, specificity, negative predictive value (NPV), and positive predictive value (PPV), were assessed relative to histopathology results.ResultsCompared with histopathology results, microcalcifications had a sensitivity of 88%, and specificity of 62.8%, a PPV of 55.7%, and an NPV of 90.8%. The overall accuracy of microcalcifications was 71.5%.ConclusionsThe presence of microcalcifications on mammograms may predict breast malignancy. Studies with larger numbers of patients are required to determine whether microcalcifications have higher specificity and PPV relative to breast histopathology.

Highlights

  • Conditions secondary to primary breast cancer are among the most common causes of malignancy-related deaths in women [1]

  • This study assessed the diagnostic accuracy of microcalcifications seen on mammograms for the detection of malignant breast disease when compared with histopathology

  • Microcalcifications had a sensitivity of 88%, and specificity of 62.8%, a positive predictive value (PPV) of 55.7%, and an negative predictive value (NPV) of 90.8%

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Summary

Background

Breast cancer is a progressive disease, with conditions secondary to primary breast cancer being among the more common causes of malignancy-related deaths in women. Diagnosis can halt disease progression and significantly improve patient's survival. Microcalcifications detected on mammograms may be an indicator of breast cancer. This study assessed the diagnostic accuracy of microcalcifications seen on mammograms for the detection of malignant breast disease when compared with histopathology

Materials and methods
Conclusions
Introduction
Materials And Methods
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Disclosures
Bhurgri Y
The Swedish Organised Service Screening Evaluation Group
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