Breast Cancer Screening: A Medical Audit of the Screening Mammography Performed at One Institution for 10 Years / 한국유방암학회지

PURPOSE: Screening for breast cancer has constantly been increasing since the benefit of screening for breast cancers was established. The purpose of this study was to investigate the efficacy of annual breast cancer screening at one institution for 10 years by conducting a medical audit. METHODS: From March 1995 to July 2004, we performed 110,588 annual clinical examinations and mammographies on 58,024 women, who wanted to undergo breast cancer screening. Two hundred fourteen breast cancers were detected during screening, and one hundred sixty one of these patients were operated on. We then compared these results with the ideal rates for medical audits. RESULTS: Of the 110,588 cases that were screened, the recall rate for further examination was 12.1% (n=13,423). The biopsy rate was 1.01% (n=1,116). Two hundred fourteen breast cancers were detected for a detection rate of 0.19%. The percent of stage 0 cancer among all the cancer was 23.6%, stage I was 40.4%, stage IIa was 19.9%, stage IIb and IIIa were a combined 6.2%, stage IIIc was 3.1%, and stage IV was 0.6%. The positive predictive value (PPV) based on the abnormal findings on the screening examinations was 1.6% (PPV1). The PPV when a biopsy or surgical consultation was recommended was 15.1% (PPV2). The percent of tumor found as stage 0 or I was 64% (103/161). The tumor found as minimal cancer (stage 0 or tumor lesser than 1 cm) was 38.5% (62/161). There were 38 cases of axillary lymph node metastasis (23.6%). The number of cases of cancers found per 1,000 cases was 1.7. The prevalence of cancer found per 1,000 first examinations was 2.3. The incidental cancer found per 1,000 follow-up examinations was 1.2. The recall rate for further evaluation was 12.1%. These results were compatible with the ideal rates for medical audits, except for the recall rate, the PPV1, the PPV2, and the cancers found per 1,000 cases. CONCLUSION: On the base of these results, breast cancer screening was properly performed in this institution. Breast cancer screening using a clinical examination and a mammography is effective for the early detection of breast cancer.

Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System (BI-RADS) US lexicon and Final Assessment Category for Solid Breast Masses: the Rates of Inter- and Intraobserver Agreement

PURPOSE: To evaluate the rates of inter- and intraobserver agreement of the BI-RADS US lexicon. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Two radiologists reviewed 60 sonograms of solid breast masses to evaluate interobserver agreement. After four weeks, the radiologists reinterpreted the series to evaluate the intraobserver agreement. The radiologists described shape, orientation, margin, lesion boundary, echo pattern, posterior acoustic features and microcalcifications. Final assessment categories and management plans were suggested for each case. The rates of inter- and intraobserver agreements were measured by the use of kappa statistics. RESULTS: Interobserver agreement ranged from the highest for orientation (k=0.65) and shape (k=0.61) to the lowest for posterior acoustic features (k=0.42). For the final assessment categories (k=0.46) and management (k=0.49), interobserver agreements were moderate. Intraobserver agreement ranged from the highest for microcalcifications in mass (k=0.90, 0.82) and orientation (k=0.87, 0.83) and the lowest for echo patterns (k=0.62, 0.57) and posterior acoustic features (k=0.59, 0.65). In the final assessment category and management, intraobserver agreements were substantial or nearly complete (k=0.65-0.83). CONCLUSION: There were variable ranged inter- and intraobserver agreements in the description of the BI-RADS US lexicon of solid breast masses. Among them, margin and lesion boundary showed lower agreements. A modification of the BI-RADS US lexicon with more detailed guidelines, followed by continuous education, are suggested.

Establishment of Quality Assessment Standard for Mammographic Equipments: Evaluation of Phantom and Clinical Images

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to establish a quality standard for mammographic equipment in Korea and to eventually improve mammographic quality in clinics and hospitals throughout Korea by educating technicians and clinic personnel. MATERIALS AND METHODS: For the phantom test and on site assessment, we visited 37 sites and examined 43 sets of mammographic equipment. Items that were examined include phantom test, radiation dose measurement, developer assessment, etc. The phantom images were assessed visually and by optical density measurements. For the clinical image assessment, clinical images from 371 sites were examined following the new Korean standard for clinical image evaluation. The items examined include labeling, positioning, contrast, exposure, artifacts, collimation among others. RESULTS: Quality standard of mammographic equipment was satisfied in all equipment during on site visits. Average mean glandular dose was 114.9 mRad. All phantom image test scores were over 10 points (average, 10.8 points). However, optical density measurements were below 1.2 in 9 sets of equipment (20.9%). Clinical image evaluation revealed appropriate image quality in 83.5%, while images from non-radiologist clinics were adequate in 74.6% (91/122), which was the lowest score of any group. Images were satisfactory in 59.0% (219/371) based on evaluation by specialists following the new Korean standard for clinical image evaluation. Satisfactory images had a mean score of 81.7 (1 S.D.=8.9) and unsatisfactory images had a mean score of 61.9 (1 S.D=11). The correlation coefficient between the two observers was 0.93 (p<0.01) in 49 consecutive cases. CONCLUSION: The results of the phantom tests suggest that optical density measurements should be performed as part of a new quality standard for mammographic equipment. The new clinical evaluation criteria that was used in this study can be implemented with some modifications for future mammography quality control by the Korean government.

Complications Arising in Twin Pregnancy: Findings of Prenatal Ultrasonography

Multifetal gestations are high-risk pregnancies involving higher perinatal morbidity and mortality, and are subject to unique complications including twin oligohydramnios-polyhydramnios sequence, twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome, acardiac twins, conjoined twins, co-twin demise, and heterotopic pregnancies. The purpose of this study is to describe the prenatal ultrasonographic and pathologic findings of these complications.

Prenatal Ultrasound Findings of Fetal Neoplasms

A variety of neoplasms can develop in each tetal organ. Most fetal neoplasms can be detected by careful prenatal ultrasonographic examination. Some neoplosms show specific ultrasonographic findings suggesting the differential diagnosis, but others do not. Knowledge of the presence of a neoplasm in the fetus may alter the prenatal management of a pregnancy and the mode of delivery, and facilitates immediate postnatal treatment. During the last five years, we experienced 32 cases of fetal neoplasms in a variety of organs. We describe their typical ultrasonographic findings with correlating postnatal CT, MRI, and pathologic findings.

Prevalence of Thyroid Nodules detected by Ultrasonography in Womens Attending Health Check-Ups / 대한내분비학회지

BACKGROUND: Thyroid nodules are commonly found in clinical practice, and the recent development of thyroid ultrasonography has allowed for the detection of small nodules previously undetectable by routine palpations. Since previous studies on thyroid ultrasonography have been focused on patients with known thyroid disorders, we aimed to determine the prevalence of thyroid nodules in a female population. METHODS: We studied women in the age range 30 to 70 years visiting the health promotion center at Samsung Cheil Hospital for routine health check-ups. After excluding patients with previous thyroid disorders, 1300 women where selected to undergo thyroid ultrasonography for the detection of the presence of thyroid nodules. If nodules were found, their size and numbers were recorded, and these data correlated with the patients age. RESULTS: Of the 1300 subjects, thyroid nodules were detected in 490 (37.7%) with their prevalence (p=0.009), and that of multinodularity of thyroid nodules (p=0.001), increasing with the increasing age of the patients (Age 30 to 39: 30.8%, 40 to 49: 37.0%, 50 to 59: 41.5% and 60 to 69: 65.2%). Among these study subjects, nodules larger than 15 mm in size were detected in 29 and after performing fine needle aspirations on 18 nodules, 17 were found to be benign, with 1 papillary carcinoma, which required a total thyroidectomy. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of thyroid nodules in our female study population was 37.7%, with their prevalence, and that of multinodularity of thyroid nodules, increasing with increased age.

Fetal Musculoskeletal Malformations with a Poor Outcome: Ultrasonographic, Pathologic, and Radiographic Findings

The early and accurate antenatal diagnosis of fetal musculoskeletal malfomations with a poor outcome has important implications for the management of a pregnancy. Careful ultrasonographic examination of a fetus helps detect such anomalies, and a number of characteristic features may suggest possible differential diagnoses. During the last five years, we have encountered 39 cases of such anomalies, and the typical prenatal ultrasonographic and pathologic findings of a number of those are described in this article.

Characteristics of Breast Cancer in Women Undergoing Hormone Replacement Therapy / 한국유방암학회지

PURPOSE: Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) has been associated with an increased risk for breast cancer. Cancers in women who undergo HRT are often less advanced, and a lower mortality has been reported in those who use HRT vice nonusers. We sought to explain this by a comparison of indicators of tumor aggressiveness in patients who received HRT with those in patients who did not. METHODS: A population-based cohort of 370 postmenopausal women with breast cancer were interviewed for the use, type, and duration of HRT. Clinical variables and indicators of tumor aggressiveness (nuclear grade, hormone receptors, c-erb B2 overexpression, tumor size, lymph node) were analyzed. RESULTS: Breast tumors from 268 HRT patients were smaller (P=0.001), had less involved axillary lymph nodes (P=0.0), and had a lower overexpression of c-erb B2 (P=0.047) than the tumors from 102 non-recipients. These differences persisted after adjustments for age at diagnosis and screening with mammography by multiple logistic regression. No significant differences were observed in estrogen (ER) or progesterone receptor content (PR) or, nuclear grade. Neither the type of HRT (estrogen versus combination of estrogen and progesterone), nor the duration of HRT was not associated with the tumor size or with the involvement of lymph nodes. The use of HRT was significantly associated with a longer metastasis free survival in women with breast cancer (P=0.028), but was not associated with longer overall survival. The use of HRT was not significantly associated with longer overall survival or with a longer metastasis free survival after adjustment for T-stage, N-stage, age at diagnosis or screening mammography. CONCLUSION: The results indicate that breast cancer in women who receive HRT is biologically less aggressive than those without previous HRT. This may at least partly explain why breast cancer in HRT users has a more favorable clinical course.

The Results of Mammography and Ultrasound-Guided Localization Biopsy of Nonpalpable Breast Lesions, and the Differences between Them

PURPOSE: To evaluate the results of mammography and ultrasound-guided localization biopsy of nonpalpable lesions, and the differences between them. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between January 1999 and December 2000, localization biopsies of 441 nonpalpable breast lesions were performed immediately after preoperative localization using a wire hook. Localization was mammography guided in 241 cases and ultrasound guided in 200. The former group included clustered microcalcifications( 195/241, 80.9%), mass (22/241,9.1%) and mass with microcalcifications (24/241, 10.0%), while the latter were almost all mass, or mass with microcalcifications (198/200, 99%). Only two lesions (1%) showed clustered microcalcifications only, and these were previously demonstrated at mammography. RESULTS: Overall, 68 lesions (15.4%) were confirmed as malignancy. Forty-six of 241 mammography guided localization biopsies indicated malignancy: there were 28 noninvasive carcinomas (60.9%), 25 ductal cancers in situ (DCIS), one DCIS combined with lobular cancer in situ (LCIS), and two DCIS combined with microinvasion. Twenty-two of 200 ultrasound-guided localization biopsies revealed malignancy; five such lesions (22.7%) were noninvasive carcinomas. CONCLUSION: The malignancy rate and proportion of noninvasive breast cancers indicated by mammography and ultrasound-guided localization biopsy differed, and this was because the former involved mainly microcalcifications and the latter, masses.

Breast Cancer Screening of 51,170 Women

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of annual breast screening, which includes a mammography and a clinical physical examination. METHODS: From April 1995 to March 2000, we performed 51,170 annual clinical examinations and mammographies on 26,354 women, who wanted to undergo breast screening, at the breast center. Ninety-five breast cancers were detected during screening, and of these, only 76 breast cancers were operated on. The result were compared with 650 symptomatic breast cancers from the outpatient department (OPD). RESULTS: Of the 51,170 cases screened, the recall rate for further examination was 9.9% (n=5,066), and the biopsy rate was 2.1% (n=1,096). Ninety-five breast cancers were detected; a detection rate of 0.19%. Fourteen breast cancers were detected after more than 2 screening rounds. On the analysis of the medical audit data based on the screening mammographies, the positive predictive value, confirmed when a biopsy from a surgical consultation was recommended (PPV), was 8.6%. Further, 41 cases involving tumors found at stage 0 or I (54%). There were 25 cases of axillary lymph node metastasis (32.9%). These results were compatible with the ideal rates for medical audits, except for PPV and axillary lymph node metastases. The pathologic stages of the screened group were: 0, 22.4%; I, 31.6%; II, 40.8%; III, 5.2%, whereas those of the OPD group were 0, 3.4%; I, 27.4%; II, 52.8%; III, 15.5%, and IV, 0.8%. Early breast cancers were detected more frequently through screening than by the OPD (P<0.05). Breast conservation surgery was carried out on 32.9% (25 cases) from the screened group, but only 12.8% (83 cases) from the OPD group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Our breast cancer screening was properly performed. Further, these findings indicate that breast cancer screening using a clinical examination and a mammography is very effective in the early detection of breast cancer.

Interval Breast Cancers: Comparisons with Screen Detected Cancers

PURPOSE: Although the screening with a mammography has been shown to reduce breast cancer mortality, it has limitations relating to its sensitivity and efficacy. Interval cancers are those that become symptomatic, and are detected between screening examinations. The success of a screening program in reducing the rate of mortality due to breast cancer relies on keeping the number of interval cancers at a minimum. This study was performed to review the mammographic features of interval cancers, and to compare their clinicopathological factors with those cancers detected by screening. METHODS: Of the 881 women who had operations for breast cancer performed between 1995 and 1999, we retrospectively analyzed the medical records and mammograms of 57 who received at least a mammogram before the diagnosis of their breast cancer. These patients were divided into an interval cancer group, who had symptoms, and a screen detected cancer group, who had not. The factors compared included the clinical, radiographic, histopathological, and immunohistochemical features. RESULTS: Interval cancers were more likely to have masses, than microcalcifications, in their mammographic features, and were more likely to be invasive and at a higher stage according to their histopathological features. The false negative rate was 48% for the screen detected cancers, and 35% for the interval cancers (P=0.414). HRT users had the higher false negative rate of 51.6% than the 26.9% for the nonuser (P=0.103). CONCLUSION: The interval cancers were found to be different from the screen detected cancers in terms of their radiological and pathological features. The standardization of screen interval, and additional magnification mammography, or ultrasonography may contribute to reduce false negative rates of mammography.

Characteristics of Breast Cancer in Women Undergoing Hormone Replacement Therapy

PURPOSE: Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) has been associated with an increased risk for breast cancer. Cancers in women who undergo HRT are often less advanced, and a lower mortality has been reported in those who use HRT vice nonusers. We sought to explain this by a comparison of indicators of tumor aggressiveness in patients who received HRT with those in patients who did not. METHODS: A population-based cohort of 370 postmenopausal women with breast cancer were interviewed for the use, type, and duration of HRT. Clinical variables and indicators of tumor aggressiveness (nuclear grade, hormone receptors, c-erb B2 overexpression, tumor size, lymph node) were analyzed. RESULTS: Breast tumors from 268 HRT patients were smaller (P=0.001), had less involved axillary lymph nodes (P=0.0), and had a lower overexpression of c-erb B2 (P=0.047) than the tumors from 102 non-recipients. These differences persisted after adjustments for age at diagnosis and screening with mammography by multiple logistic regression. No significant differences were observed in estrogen (ER) or progesterone receptor content (PR) or, nuclear grade. Neither the type of HRT (estrogen versus combination of estrogen and progesterone), nor the duration of HRT was not associated with the tumor size or with the involvement of lymph nodes. The use of HRT was significantly associated with a longer metastasis free survival in women with breast cancer (P=0.028), but was not associated with longer overall survival. The use of HRT was not significantly associated with longer overall survival or with a longer metastasis free survival after adjustment for T-stage, N-stage, age at diagnosis or screening mammography. CONCLUSION: The results indicate that breast cancer in women who receive HRT is biologically less aggressive than those without previous HRT. This may at least partly explain why breast cancer in HRT users has a more favorable clinical course.

Clustered Microcalcifications without Mass on Mammography: Benignancy vs. Malignancy

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the accuracy of differentiation between benign and malignant clustered microcalcifications without mass on mammogram. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Fourty six mammogramsof 44 patients showing clustered microcalcifications without mass were interpreted blindly by five independent observers majoring in breast imaging from different institutions. Twenty two were malignant (10 infiltratingductal carcinomas, 12 intraductal carcinomas) and 24 were benign (all fibrocystic disease). The observers judgebenignancy or malignancy of microcalcifications. The authors assess the accuracy of differential diagnosis of clustered microcalcifications. RESULT: Of 24 cases proved benign microcalcifications, five radiologists correctly interpreted 20 on average as benign and of malignant 22 cases, 16 on average were correctly interpreted asmalignant. The diagnostic accuracy of malignant microcalcifications was 71.8% on average(63.6%-81.8%) and the diagnostic accuracy for benign microcalcifications was 83% on average(71% - 92%). It was 9 among total 46 cases that were misinterpreted by more than three radiologists. Among these 9 cases, malignant microcalcifications thathad been misinterpreted as benign were seven, benign microcalcifications misinterpreted as malignant were two. CONCLUSION: The diagnostic accuracy of clustered malignant microcalcifications(71.8%) without mass on mammogramwas lower than that of benign microcalcifications(83.3%). So, in case of suspected malignant microcalcification onmammogram, it is preferable that along with magnification view, histopathologic confirmation by core biopsy mustbe obtained.

Transcervical fallopian tube catheterization for proximal tubal obstruction / 대한산부인과학회잡지

No abstract available.

Requirements for in vitro growth of human thymocytes

Since it is difficult to study human thymocyte maturation in vitro, we have developed an in vitro thymocyte culture system which has allowed us to select the optimal growth conditions for thymocyte subpopulations. Three thymocyte subpopulations (CD3-CD1-, CD1+CD3-, and CD3+CD1-) were isolated by a single step percoll density gradient centrifugation and indirect panning procedure using anti-CD1 and anti-CD3 monoclonal antibodies, and their purity was checked by flow cytometry. The combination of concanavalin A (Con A), tetradecanoylphorbol acetate (TPA), and IL-2 was shown to be the most reliable stimulus for the proliferation of CD3-CD1- thymocytes for up to 15 days in a culture system in vitro. Flow cytometric analysis for the phenotypic change of CD3-CD1- thymocytes revealed a steady increase of CD3 antigen after a 3-day cultivation, whereas there was no change in CD1 antigen intensity. A combination of Con A and IL-2 was both sufficient and necessary to induce growth of CD3+CD1- thymocytes. The major population of immature cortical thymocytes (CD3-CD1+ or CD3+CD1+), which are considered to be the most unresponsive dead-end cells, could not be maintained or stimulated with any combination used in this experiment, even in the presence of thymic accessory cells.

Mammary Hamartoma: A case report

We have recently experienced a case of mammary hamartoma in 29-year-old woman. Hamartoma of the breast is a rare benign tumor-like lesion which is characteristically well demarcated by thin layer of fibrofatty tissue and composed of essentially normal mammary tissue with mammary glandular structure and fibrous stroma containing variable amounts of fat. The lobular architecture is relatively well preserved. It can be readily recognized, but should not be confused with fibroadenoma or mammary dysplasia. It also shows characteristic mammographic picture.

Photodensitometric tracing of mach bands and its significance

Mach bands, a visual phenomenon resulting from lateral inhibitory impulsess in the retina, are recognized aslucent or dense lines at the borders of different radiographic densities. A number of clinical situations have been described in which Mach bands may cause difficulty in radiographic diagnosis. Photodensitometric measurement of the film can differentiate the true change in film density from the Mach band which is an optical illusion. Authors present several examples of photodensitometric tracings of Mach bands, with the brief review of themechanism of their production.