HIGH-RESOLUTION SONOGRAPHY FOR EARLY BREA ST-CANCER DETECTION

Breast ultrasound has mainly been used for differantiation of cystic a nd solid lesions. With high resolution technique, which was introduced several years ago, early cancers can now be detected by ultrasound. I n this study, 1016 women were examined within 3 months. Mammography wa s used independently. According to the expected prevalence, 4 nonpalpa ble carcinomas were detected by sonography. The study proves that high -quality ultrasound equipment allows a primary detection of subclinica l breast cancers. In premenopausal, patients the sensitivity of mammog raphy is reduced. Therefore, ultrasound should be used complementary t o mammography in this age group. Widespread use is not possible due to a deficiency in experienced staff. However, in experienced centres, u ltrasound could be used as a supplement to mammographic screening to p rove if breast cancer mortality in premenopausal women can be reduced.