Test may reduce unnecessary breast biopsies
Of the 69 lesions that proved to be benign, elastography has correctly identified 78percent of them.A new test that looks like the stiffness of the tissue may help distinguish between benign lesions and breast cancer, potentially reducing unnecessary biopsies, researchers say.
When a suspicious mammogram produces results, ultrasonography is often performed to further investigate the results.
About 80percent of biopsied breast lesions that will prove to be benign, according to the American Cancer Society.
However, it often results in more biopsies because of its inability to distinguish accurately between benign and cancerous lesions, Destounis WebMD.
‘With more research, elastography could influence decisions not to perform biopsies of patients who don t need it,’ reduce anxiety and costs, said Stamatia V. Destounis, MD, Elizabeth Wende Breast support in Rochester, NY
Elastography correctly identified 98percent of 59 lesions that proved to be cancer on biopsy.
‘We hope to increase this number as the software continues to improve,’ Destounis said, adding that elastography has been around for a while ‘, but is undergoing a ‘rebirth’.
Malignant tumors tend to be stiffer than the surrounding tissue or cysts, and benign lesions are more compressible Destounis said.
‘We hope to increase this number as the software continues to improve,’ Destounis said, adding that elastography has been around for a while ‘, but is undergoing a ‘rebirth’.
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Destounis presented the findings here at the annual meeting of the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA). Breast cancer benign lesions more rigid
The new study involved 193 patients who underwent a total of 198 elastograms and ultrasound. The doctors biopsy all solid lesions that were detected.
Used in combination with ultrasound of the breast, a new imaging test known as elastography, correctly identified 98percent of cancerous lesions and 78percent of those who were not cancer in a study of 200 women t.
Mary C.
Mahoney, MD, University of Cincinnati Medical Center and a spokesman for the RSNA, WebMD elastography, which is increasing in use for other conditions as well, including the identification of malignant tumors of the liver and thyroid.
Of the 69 lesions that proved to be benign, elastography has correctly identified 78percent of them.
Add elastography – that uses the pressure of the breathing, heartbeat, or push on the skin to measure the stiffness of an accident – can help improve the correct diagnosis, he said.