Detection of breast cancer presenting as a mass in women with dense breasts - digital breast tomosynthesis versus full-field digital mammography.

AIM: To evaluate the sensitivity and specificity of digital breast tomosynthesis compared with full-field digital mammography in detection of breast cancer presenting as a mass in women with dense breasts. Маterials and Methods: This study included 347 asymptomatic and symptomatic patients with dense breasts who underwent full-field digital mammography, digital breast tomosynthesis and hand-held full breast ultrasound. 57 core-needle biopsies were performed. Pathology included 31 invasive cancers and 26 non-cancerous lesions. RESULTS: Sensitivity of full-field digital mammography was 61.3% [0.422-0.789] and sensitivity of digital breast tomosynthesis was 77.4% [0.589-0.904]. Specificity of full-field digital mammography was 92.7% [0.893-0.953] that was 2.2% lower than the specificity of digital breast tomosynthesis - 94.9% [0.919-0.971]. CONCLUSION: Results of our study showed superior sensitivity and specificity of digital breast tomosynthesis compared to full-field digital mammography for detection of malignant masses in women with dense breasts.