More than 1500 radiologically indicated breast biopsies. Microcalcifications and the pathologic galactogram, 1964-1982

Abstract

In the last 19 years 47,518 women had mammographies at the Department of Gynaecology of the University of Erlangen. 1653 patients had 2215 galactograms. Biopsies of the breast indicated by mammography were done in 1521 cases. 955 cases showed micro-calcifications in groups. 566 showed abnormal galactograms. The microscopic examination in the 955 cases with microcalcifications showed invasive carcinoma, carcinoma in situ or atypical epithelial proliferations in 1/3 of the cases In 10% of the cases small calcified fibroadenomata, papillomas or granulomas were found. In 60% of the biopsies mammary dysplasia partly with nonatypical epithelial proliferations were found. When the galactogram showed pathological contours the breast tissue was excised in a segment. In over 40% of 566 segmental excisions papillomata were the cause of pathological secretions from the breast. Ductal carcinomas, carcinoma in situ and extensive intraductal solid papillary or adenomatous epithelial proliferations were found in 27% of the cases. Approximately the same number of cases did not show atypical epithelial proliferations. Delay in the early diagnosis of changes which may be the first sign of malignant breast disease can be avoided by good cooperations between the physicians treating the cases.