• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• v.17 no.3
• /
• pp.1385-1391
• /
• 2016

Background: To investigate the prevalence of and factors associated with performance of annual mammography by women above 40 years of age. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional retrospective study was conducted at an oncology reference service in Southern Brazil from October 2013 to October 2014 with 525 women aged 40 years or older. Results: The prevalence of annual mammography was 54.1%; annual mammographic screening was performed for women without private medical insurance, who were under hormone replacement therapy and who had used contraception in the past. An association was found between non-performance of breast clinical and self-examination and non-performance of mammographic screening. Conclusions: Use of mammography for breast cancer screening in the public health care setting proved to be accessible; nevertheless, the proportion of screened women was low, and they exhibited poor adherence to the basic measures of care recommended for breast assessment. Thus, control of breast cancer requires implementing actions targeting the population most vulnerable to non-adherence to screening in addition to continuously monitoring and assessing that population to reduce the prevalence of this disease.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• v.17 no.7
• /
• pp.3185-3190
• /
• 2016

Background: This study was designed to compare radioguided versus routine wire localization of nonpalpable non-malignant breast lesions in terms of efficacy for complete excision, ease of use, time saving, and cosmetic outcome. Materials and Methods: Patients with non-palpable breast masses and non-malignant core biopsy results who were candidates for complete surgical lumpectomy were enrolled and randomly assigned to radioguided or wire localization groups. Radiologic, surgical, and pathologic data were collected and analyzed to determine the difficulty and duration of each procedure, ease of use, accuracy, and cosmetic outcomes. Results: This prospective randomized study included 60 patients, randomly divided into wire guided localization (WGL) or radioguided occult lesion localization (ROLL) groups. The mean duration of localization under ultrasound guidance was shorter in the ROLL group (14.4 min) than in the WGL group (16.5 min) (p<0.001). The ROLL method was significantly easier for radiologists (p=0.0001). The mean duration of the surgical procedure was 22.6 min (${\pm}10.3min$) for ROLL and 23.6 min (${\pm}9.6min$) for WGL (p=0.6), a non-significant difference. Radiography of the surgical specimens showed 100% lesion excision with clear margins, as proved by pathologic examination, with both techniques. The surgical specimens were slightly heavier in the ROLL group, but the difference was not significant (p=0.06). Conclusions: The ROLL technique provides effective, fast, and simple localization and excision of non-palpable non-malignant breast lesions.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
• /
• v.82 no.1
• /
• pp.49-65
• /
• 2021

With the increase in the number of cases of silicone implant insertion either for cosmetic surgery or breast reconstruction after mastectomy, it is not unusual to encounter patients with silicone implants in clinical settings. Recently, the first case of breast implant-associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma was reported in Korea. In addition to previously known complications, such as implant rupture or contracture, the number of implant-associated imaging examinations has also increased. Considering this background, radiologists should have sufficient knowledge about the type of examination required in patients who have undergone implant insertion and imaging findings to correctly identify implant-associated complications. In this article, various complications of silicone implants are discussed, including various imaging findings, which radiologists should know.

• Kosin Medical Journal
• /
• v.33 no.2
• /
• pp.181-190
• /
• 2018

Objectives: Our school introduced a new curriculum based on faculty-directed, intensive, small-group teaching of clinical skills in the third-year medical students. To examine its effects, we compared the mean scores on an OSCE between the third- and fourth-year medical students. Methods: Third- and fourth-year students did rotations at the same five OSCE stations. They then completed a brief self-reporting questionnaire survey to examine the degree of satisfaction with new curriculum in the third-year students and clinical practice in the fourth-year students, as well as their perception of confidence and preparedness. We analyzed the OSCE data obtained from 158 students, 133 of whom also completed the questionnaire. Results: Mean OSCE scores on the breast examination and wet smear stations were significantly higher in the third-year group (P < 0.001). But mean OSCE scores of motor-sensory examination and lumbar puncture were significantly higher in the fourth-year group (P < 0.05). The mean OSCE scores had no significant correlation with satisfaction. In addition, the self-ratings of confidence had a high degree of correlation with satisfaction with new curriculum (r = 0.673) and clinical practice (r = 0.692). Furthermore, there was a moderate degree of correlation between satisfaction and preparedness in both groups (r = 0.403 and 0.449). Conclusions: There is no significant difference in the effect on the degree of clinical performance and confidence between an intensive-small group teaching and a 1-year clinical practice. If combined, intensive small group teaching and clinical practice would be useful to improve the degree of ability and confidence in medical students.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• v.14 no.1
• /
• pp.429-433
• /
• 2013

Objectives: To explore the correlation between multi-slice spiral CT (MSCT) perfusion parameters and the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) as well as matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) in breast cancer. Methods: Forty five breast cancer patients and 16 patients with benign breast tumor, both confirmed by pathology examination, were enrolled. All underwent MSCT perfusion imaging to obtain perfusion maps and data for parameters including blood flow (BF), blood volume (BV) and permeability surface (PS). Cancer patients did not receive treatment prior to surgery. The expression of VEGF and MMP-2 were examined with both immunohistochemistry and Western blotting. Results: The levels of VEGF and MMP-2 by immunohistochemistry were significantly higher in the breast cancer group (P < 0.01) than the benign tumor group. Relative OD values from Western blotting were also higher in cancer cases (P < 0.05). Similarly, the mean MSCT perfusion parameters (BF, BV, PS) were significantly higher in the breast cancer group (P < 0.01), BF and BV positively correlating with VEGF expression (r = 0.878 and 0.809 respectively, P < 0.01); PS and VEGF and MMP-2 expression were also positively correlated (r= 0.860, 0.786 respectively, P < 0.01). Conclusion: There is a correlation between breast cancer MSCT perfusion parameters and VEGF andMMP-2 expression, which might be useful for detection of breast lesions, qualitative diagnosis of breast cancer, and evaluation of breast cancer treatment.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
• /
• v.54 no.4
• /
• pp.329-335
• /
• 2013

Objective : Brain metastases in primary breast cancer patients are considerable sources of morbidity and mortality. Gamma knife radiosurgery (GKRS) has gained popularity as an up-front therapy in treating such metastases over traditional radiation therapy due to better neurocognitive function preservation. The aim of this study was to clarify the prognostic factors for local tumor control and survival in radiosurgery for brain metastases from primary breast cancer. Methods : From March 2001 to May 2011, 124 women with metastatic brain lesions originating from a primary breast cancer underwent GKRS at a tertiary medical center in Seoul, Korea. All patients had radiosurgery as a primary treatment or salvage therapy. We retrospectively reviewed their clinical outcomes and radiological responses. The end point of this study was the date of patient's death or the last follow-up examination. Results : In total, 106 patients (268 lesions) were available for follow-up imaging. The median follow-up time was 7.5 months. The mean treated tumor volume at the time of GKRS was 6273 $mm^3$ (range, 4.5-27745 mm3) and the median dose delivered to the tumor margin was 22 Gy (range, 20-25 Gy). Local recurrence was assessed in 86 patients (216 lesions) and found to have occurred in 36 patients (83 lesions, 38.6%) with a median time of 6 months (range, 4-16 months). A treated tumor volume >5000 $mm^3$ was significantly correlated with poor local tumor control through a multivariate analysis (hazard risk=7.091, p=0.01). Overall survival was 79.9%, 48.3%, and 15.3% at 6, 12, and 24 months, respectively. The median overall survival was 11 months after GKRS (range, 6 days-113 months). Multivariate analysis showed that the pre-GKRS Karnofsky performance status, leptomeningeal seeding prior to initial GKRS, and multiple metastatic lesions were significant prognostic factors for reduced overall survival (hazard risk=1.94, p=0.001, hazard risk=7.13, p<0.001, and hazard risk=1.46, p=0.046, respectively). Conclusion : GKRS has shown to be an effective and safe treatment modality for treating brain metastases of primary breast cancer. Most metastatic brain lesions initially respond to GKRS, though, many patients have further CNS progression in subsequent periods. Patients with poor Karnofsky performance status and multiple metastatic lesions are at risk of CNS progression and poor survival, and a more frequent and strict surveillance protocol is suggested in such high-risk groups.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
• /
• v.17 no.5
• /
• pp.743-749
• /
• 2023

Breast ductal carcinoma in situ(DCIS) refers to cases in which breast epithelial cells have become malignant but are still limited to normal ducts, and has been increasing rapidly in recent years. In this case, a two-year follow-up revealed findings on mammography and ultrasonography that indicated a small mass classified as BI-RADS Category 3, However far from typical malignant tumor these findings were. In the second year of follow-up, a hypoechoic mass with an indistinct boundary of the right breast in the 6 o'clock direction, on mammography appeared to be about 2.1×1.3 cm in size, and biopsy diagnosed it as ductal carcinoma. Since ductal endothelial cancer has no characteristic clinical findings and can show positive clinical and imaging findings in the early stages, regular follow-up is considered important for early diagnosis, and detection of ductal endothelial cancer through mammography and ultrasound is important for improving the prognosis of all breast cancer patients. During the initial examination conducted four years ago, we reported cases of intra ductal cancer in which asymmetric shading, microcalcification, and branched mass, indicative of intra ductal cancer, were observed during follow-up. It is advisable to concurrently explore methods for reducing X-ray dosage to mitigate potential side effects of contrast medium.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
• /
• v.15 no.1
• /
• pp.151-158
• /
• 1998

Traditionally posterior shadowing is regarded as a malignant criterion in the evaluation of breast mass by sonogram. But on the basis of our clinical experiences of breast sonogram, we often met a breast mass without posterior shadowing later confirmed breast carcinoma through pathologic examination. For the focus of what character of pathologic breast tissue influence the posterior shadowing in breast sonogram, we analyzed retrospectively the sonographic findings of 26 histologically proven invasive ductal carcinomas. Even though invasive ductal carcinoma is the only one of the many breast cancers, it represents the greater part of breast malignancy. The posterior echo pattern was compared with various histologic characteristics, such as the amount of connective tissue, degree of elastosis, necrosis, gross circumscription, accompanying inflammation, histologic differentiation, and mitotic index. Nine breast masses (35%) demonstrated posterior echo shadowing, while 17 masses (65%) showed enhancement. The tumors with posterior echo shadowing had more abundant connective tissue, increased elastosis, and poorly demarcated margin (p<0.05). Other histologic characteristics are not influence in posterior shadowing with significant in stastically. On the basis of our study, the phenomenon of posterior shadowing by sonogram is difficult to accept as a specific criterion for malignancy. It is only a phenomenon influenced by the amount of connective tissue volume and elastosis.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
• /
• v.79 no.6
• /
• pp.303-310
• /
• 2018

Purpose: To evaluate the CT features of incidental breast lesions on chest CT and to suggest useful criteria for referral to a specialized breast unit. Materials and Methods: Between May 2009 and April 2014, enhanced chest CT examination reports containing the key word 'breast' were reviewed retrospectively. Patients who had incidental breast lesion and were referred to a specialized breast unit and then underwent pathological confirmation or follow-up over a 1-year period were included. Finally, 86 patients (all female, mean age, $48.9{\pm}12.6years$) were enrolled. Two radiologists evaluated lesion characteristics, including size, shape, margins, and enhancement. The correlations between the CT features and pathologies were evaluated, and the diagnostic accuracy of CT features in various combinations was assessed. Results: Among the CT features, irregular shape, non-circumscribed margin, and high contrast enhancement were different between malignant and benign lesions (p < 0.05). The combination of non-circumscribed margin and high contrast enhancement had the highest accuracy (97.7%). Conclusion: Reliable CT features for incidental malignant breast masses are irregular shape, non-circumscribed margin, and high contrast enhancement. The combination of non-circumscribed margin and high contrast enhancement could help distinguish incidental malignant breast lesions and indicate referral to a specialized breast unit.

• Korean Journal of Radiology
• /
• v.22 no.8
• /
• pp.1240-1252
• /
• 2021

Objective: To compare the accuracy for detecting breast cancer in the diagnostic setting between the use of digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT), defined as DBT alone or combined DBT and digital mammography (DM), and the use of DM alone through a systematic review and meta-analysis. Materials and Methods: Ovid-MEDLINE, Ovid-Embase, Cochrane Library and five Korean local databases were searched for articles published until March 25, 2020. We selected studies that reported diagnostic accuracy in women who were recalled after screening or symptomatic. Study quality was assessed using the Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies-2 tool. A bivariate random effects model was used to estimate pooled sensitivity and specificity. We compared the diagnostic accuracy between DBT and DM alone using meta-regression and subgroup analyses by modality of intervention, country, existence of calcifications, breast density, Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System category threshold, study design, protocol for participant sampling, sample size, reason for diagnostic examination, and number of readers who interpreted the studies. Results: Twenty studies (n = 44513) that compared DBT and DM alone were included. The pooled sensitivity and specificity were 0.90 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.86-0.93) and 0.90 (95% CI 0.84-0.94), respectively, for DBT, which were higher than 0.76 (95% CI 0.68-0.83) and 0.83 (95% CI 0.73-0.89), respectively, for DM alone (p < 0.001). The area under the summary receiver operating characteristics curve was 0.95 (95% CI 0.93-0.97) for DBT and 0.86 (95% CI 0.82-0.88) for DM alone. The higher sensitivity and specificity of DBT than DM alone were consistently noted in most subgroup and meta-regression analyses. Conclusion: Use of DBT was more accurate than DM alone for the diagnosis of breast cancer. Women with clinical symptoms or abnormal screening findings could be more effectively evaluated for breast cancer using DBT, which has a superior diagnostic performance compared to DM alone.