(Ivanhoe Newswire) – Targeted breast ultrasound of suspicious areas of
the breast, including lumps, is a safe, reliable and cost-effective alternative
to invasive biopsies for women under age 40, according to researchers.
"By performing high-quality breast ultrasound, we can reduce the number of
expensive and avoidable invasive diagnostic procedures in young women," senior
author Constance D. Lehman, M.D., Ph.D., professor and vice chair of radiology
at the University of Washington and director of imaging at the Seattle Cancer
Care Alliance, was quoted as saying. "We don't want to be overly aggressive with
this population."
The researchers conducted two studies in which targeted ultrasound was used to
distinguish between potentially cancerous masses and benign findings in young
women who had detected breast lumps or other specific areas of concern in their
breasts. The first study included 1,123 ultrasound examinations of women under
age 30; the second included 1,577 ultrasound examinations of women ages 30 to
39.
Across both studies, all instances of cancer at the site of the clinical concern
were positively identified through targeted ultrasound. In addition, all
negative ultrasound findings correctly identified benign changes in the breast.
The only malignant mass not identified by ultrasound was an unsuspected lesion
outside of the targeted examination area. That cancer was identified by a full
breast mammogram.
"Surgical excision or needle biopsy of tissue can be painful, expensive and
frequently unnecessary in these age groups, which have very low rates of
malignancies," said Dr. Lehman. "In most cases, monitoring with targeted
ultrasound is a very safe alternative."
She added that ultrasound should be the diagnostic tool of choice for young
women seeking care for breast lumps and other suspicious signs and symptoms. "It
is time we used ultrasound to reduce unnecessary morbidity and costs associated
with more aggressive invasive approaches."
SOURCE: Presented at the annual meeting of the Radiological Society of North
America (RSNA), Chicago, December 2, 2009
