Showing papers on "Mammography published in 1986"

MR imaging of the breast using gadolinium-DTPA.

Abstract: In a preliminary study 20 patients underwent breast examinations by magnetic resonance (MR) imaging without and with Gd-DTPA as contrast medium. All carcinomas enhanced, whereas dysplastic tissue enhanced slightly or not at all. Significant additional diagnostic information was available on the Gd-DTPA examinations in at least four of 20 cases compared with MR without contrast medium and X-ray mammography. Our preliminary results indicate that MR imaging of breast using Gd-DTPA may be helpful for the evaluation of dense breasts and the differentiation of dysplasia and scar tissue from carcinoma.

Mammographic features of 300 consecutive nonpalpable breast cancers

Abstract: The mammographic presentations of 300 consecutive nonpalpable breast cancers were analyzed to more clearly define the spectrum of radiographic signs needed to detect cancer at such an early stage. Clustered calcifications were the primary mammographic abnormality in 42% of cases, but only 23% demonstrated the rod, curvilinear, and branching shapes that are characteristic of malignancy. Of the 300 cancers, 39% presented as dominant masses, but only 16% showed spiculated or knobby margins typical of carcinoma. Almost 20% of the cancers were detected primarily by "indirect" mammographic signs of malignancy, such as focal architectural distortion, asymmetry, single dilated duct, and the developing density sign. To take full advantage of the capabilities of mammography, radiologists must search diligently not only for for the classic mammographic features of malignancy but especially for the more subtle and "indirect" signs that are less specific in predicting the presence of cancer.

Breast calcifications: mammographic evaluation.

Abstract: Breast calcifications may be categorized as benign, probably benign, and suggestive of malignancy. The interpretation scheme presented here utilizes a systematic structured approach: identify characteristically benign calcifications, for which no further evaluation is needed; define as suggestive of malignancy those remaining calcifications that present as isolated parenchymal clusters of tiny calcific particles; and (optional) attempt to downgrade some of these suspicious calcifications into the "probably benign" category, so that they can be managed by periodic mammographic follow-up rather than biopsy. The clinical acceptability of this approach will vary with local conditions; success in implementing it will encourage increased use of mammography, and ultimately, improved breast health care.

Real-time breast sonography: application in 300 consecutive patients

Abstract: Sonography, disappointing as a primary screening method, has emerged as the single most helpful adjunct to mammography in evaluation of the clinically and/or mammographically abnormal breast. Sonography can reliably diagnose simple cysts presenting as palpable masses or as indeterminate, nonpalpable lesions on mammography. However, differentiation of benign from malignant solid masses cannot be reliably accomplished by sonography. The expense of an automated breast sonographic scanner has deterred many radiologists from the purchase of such a unit. The authors have used both an automated breast scanner and a real-time 10-MHz hand-held unit. This paper describes their experience with the real-time unit, demonstrating both normal and pathologic anatomy. Special emphasis has been placed on the sonographic diagnosis of a simple cyst because this lesion was the cause of one-quarter of all palpable masses and nonpalpable, mammographically dominant masses. Cysts are sharply marginated and anechoic. Posterior enh...

Sensitivity and specificity of first screen mammography in the Canadian National Breast Screening Study: a preliminary report from five centers.

Abstract: Sensitivity and specificity of first screen mammography in a randomized screening trial at five centers are reported. A total of 23,101 women underwent mammography; in 139, breast cancer was detected at first screening; in 20, less than 12 months after first screening; and in 47, at second screening. All 206 cancer cases were histologically confirmed, and 174 were defined as being detectable at first screening. Average length of follow-up for all women was 3.2 years. Interpretations of first screen mammograms by the center radiologists were matched to known outcomes. Simultaneous blind review was performed by a single reference radiologist with mammograms from all 206 cancer cases and those of a random sample of 739 women not known to have breast cancer at 15 months or more after initial screening. Overall, the five screening centers achieved a sensitivity of 69% (range, 60%-78%), a specificity of 94% (range, 93%-96%), a positive predictive value of 8.6% (range, 3%-16%), and a negative predictive value of 99.7% (range, 99.6%-99.9%).

Fine-Needle Aspiration of the Breast

Abstract: One of the numerous controversial issues related to the clinical management of breast cancer is the role of fine-needle aspiration (FNA). Despite its enthusiastic use in the diagnosis of thyroid nodules, its application to breast abnormalities has been accepted reluctantly. Breast FNA necessitates technical and interpretative skill and continual practice and is not 100% accurate. It also entails an additional, although moderate, expense. To assess the accuracy and determine the possible role of FNA at our institution, we performed both FNA and excisional biopsy in 100 unselected women with palpable breast nodules and correlated the cytologic and histologic findings. Our results were similar to those in previously published studies. FNA had a false-negative rate of 6%, no false-positive results, and an accuracy of 94%. After reviewing the potential assets and liabilities of this technique, we believe that breast FNA may add a measure of confidence in the diagnosis of benign breast lesions, provides a safeguard for preventing misdiagnosis of malignant lesions, and might expedite and reduce the cost of managing both primary and recurrent breast cancer.

Stereotaxic needle localization and cytological diagnosis of occult breast lesions.

Abstract: A stereotaxic technique for localization of occult breast lesions and fine needle aspiration for cytological diagnosis was used on examination of 543 patients. Successful localization with the needle tip within 1 mm of the suspected lesion was possible in 490 patients (90.2%). Based on a high mammographic index of suspicion for malignancy, 187 of 490 patients were selected to undergo open biopsy, following aspiration cytology and localization with methylene blue injection. The statistical results (cytologic vs. histologic examination) revealed a sensitivity of 97.5% and a specificity of 95.2% for cytologic diagnosis of occult breast lesions. The technique is easy to learn and takes 20-30 minutes to perform. Compliance was 100% and complications were nil. This new technique expedites localization and maximizes the specificity of mammography for occult breast lesions.

MR imaging of the breast: comparison with mammography and ultrasound.

Abstract: Fifty-seven biopsy proven breast masses have been examined at our institution by magnetic resonance (MR), mammography, and ultrasound. The three techniques have been evaluated concerning their capability to visualize the lesion and the diagnostic information obtained. Magnetic resonance proved comparable to mammography and superior to sonography in the fatty to medium dysplastic breasts but inferior to the combined examination by mammography and sonography in the dense breasts. In some selected cases, however, special advantages of MR have been found.

Baseline screening mammography: one vs two views per breast

Abstract: To compare the advantages of one-view vs two-view mammography screening, films were reviewed for 2500 consecutive asymptomatic women undergoing baseline mammography. To provide screening at low cost, examinations were limited to two radiographs per breast, one each in the craniocaudal and mediolateral oblique projections, with the understanding that those few patients with detected abnormalities would require additional mammograms, taken with an individually directed, problem-solving approach, at considerably higher cost. Two separate interpretations were made of each case, one using only the oblique projection images, the other using both oblique and craniocaudal views. Two-view interpretations not only identified more cancers than one-view readings (27 vs 25), they also required fewer additional mammograms to evaluate potential abnormalities (179 vs 642, 7% vs 26%). These advantages outweigh the additional radiation risk and added cost. Baseline screening mammography should be done with two views per br...

Has monitoring of the contralateral breast improved the prognosis in patients treated for primary breast cancer

Abstract: Bilateral breast cancer has a cumulative incidence of about 7% in patients with primary operable breast cancer, and most of these lesions are metachronous. Most retrospective studies have shown that a majority of these patients have invasive cancer in the second breast, and varying percentages have nodal metastases, which may be of a higher stage than the first cancer. Physicians are now more aware of the importance of careful monitoring of the second breast after ipsilateral mastectomy, and improvements have been made in mammographic surveillance. A retrospective, comparative analysis of two separate breast cancer populations at risk for bilateral breast cancer was done on patients who entered into the system before effective mammographic monitoring (BEM) and after effective mammographic monitoring (AEM). The first group of patients consisted of 500 consecutive patients with primary breast cancer diagnosed during the years 1969 through 1975, of whom 37 (7.4%) had bilateral breast cancer. The second group consisted of 557 consecutive patients diagnosed during the years 1977 through 1984, of whom 36 (6.5%) had bilateral breast cancer. The staging percentages of the second breast cancer in the BEM group were Stage 0, 5.4%; Stage I, 48.6%; Stage II, 10.8%; Stage III, 21.6%; and Stage IV, 13.5%. The second group had an improvement in stage, with 33.3% being Stage 0, 22.2% Stage I, 29.6% Stage II, 3.7% Stage III, and 3.7% Stage IV (P less than 0.05). The median interval between primary lesions was 39 months in the first group and 19 months in the second group (in part, this difference may represent increased identification of synchronous cancers). The second breast cancer was undetected by mammography in 9 of 34 (26%) patients. Six were detected by contralateral biopsy (all were lobular carcinomas in situ), and three were found by clinical examination (all were invasive cancers). It was concluded that more aggressive monitoring of the second breast by frequent clinical examination, mammography, and selected contralateral biopsy appears to have increased the early detection rate of second breast cancers in patients under observation.

Increasing the effort toward breast cancer detection

Abstract: IN 1985, cancer continued to be the second-leading cause of death in the United States, and cancer of the breast accounts for more deaths of American women than any other malignancy except for lung cancer. It is estimated that, in 1986, a total of 119,000 women will develop cancer of the breast, and approximately 39,000 women will die of this disease. 1 Because breast cancer will develop in one of every 11 women (9%), all women should be considered at risk for the development of breast cancer. 2 Women themselves are well aware of the breast cancer problem. In a survey done by the National Institutes of Health in 1979, over three fourths of the respondents thought that cancer was the greatest health concern for women today, and nearly half mentioned breast cancer specifically. 3 Since the five- and ten-year survival of women with breast tumors relates directly to tumor

Magnetic resonance imaging in the diagnosis of breast disease.

Abstract: Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the breast was performed in 10 volunteers and 102 women with suspected breast disease, using a 0.35-T superconducting magnet. All patients had prior x-ray mammography. MRI was superior to mammography in differentiating solid from cystic lesions and equivalent to mammography in providing information regarding different parenchymal patterns. Of 21 surgically proven carcinomas of the breast, MRI correctly identified 18 and mammography identified 19. The major disadvantage of MRI is its inability to show calcifications, benign or malignant. Future studies will be needed to show the relative values of sonography and MRI in detecting small cysts. In addition, MRI in future should be able to demonstrate small, noncalcified masses in mammographically dense, fibrocystic breasts.

Mammography in women under age 30: is there clinical benefit?

Abstract: With the increasing utilization of mammography, young women under age 30 are being referred for mammographic examination more frequently. A review of the mammograms of 76 patients, aged 18-29 years, was conducted to evaluate the clinical utility of the examination in this age group, for whom the probability of malignancy is quite low and the risk of radiation carcinogenesis may not be negligible. In 74% of patients referred for study of a palpable mass, no mass was evident on mammograms. When a mass was seen, the radiographic features did not influence clinical management. Radiologists should inform their clinical colleagues regarding the risks and limitations of mammography in women under age 30 and encourage more frequent utilization of ancillary diagnostic procedures including sonography and diagnostic aspiration.

Radiogenic Breast Cancer Effects of Mammographic Screening

Abstract: The radiocarcinogenic implications of published breast-screening policies were compared. With the use of radioepidemiologic data published recently by the National Institutes of Health, expected excess breast cancers were projected. With a base-line mammogram at age 35 and annual mammography after age 40, as few as 150 or as many as 1,000 radiogenic breast cancers were projected for a screening population of 1 million women, depending on the mammographic system employed and the screening schedule.

Nonpalpable breast cancer: needle-localized biopsy for diagnosis and considerations for treatment.

Abstract: Screening mammography as an adjunct to physical examination led to the discovery of 237 radiographically suspicious but nonpalpable breast lesions. Needle localization of the lesion preoperatively in the mammography suite followed by breast biopsy led to the diagnosis of 64 nonpalpable carcinomas, including 25 invasive, 16 minimally invasive, and 23 noninvasive cancers. Noninvasive and minimally invasive cancers were microscopic. Of the invasive lesions, 7 were 10 mm or less in diameter and 14 were 11 to 20 mm in diameter. Noninvasive and minimally invasive cancers tended to occur in younger women (average age 52 and 51 years, respectively), and almost uniformly appeared as clustered calcifications mammographically. Invasive cancers affected an older population (average age 65 years), and the mammographic appearance was that of a mass in the majority of cases. A variety of surgical procedures were carried out subsequent to biopsy to provide definite treatment of these nonpalpable breast cancers. A review of surgical specimens available from these procedures demonstrated a 27 percent incidence of residual disease at the biopsy site. In patients who underwent mastectomy, 34 percent had an unsuspected focus of cancer in another quadrant of the breast and an additional 14 percent had an unsuspected focus of epithelial atypia. No patient with either noninvasive or minimally invasive cancer was found to have axillary lymph node metastases. Twenty-nine percent of patients with invasive tumors demonstrated lymph node metastases in the axilla. Our results demonstrate the efficacy of preoperative needle localization to assist in the biopsy of nonpalpable breast lesions and the diagnosis of a significant number of early breast cancers. The treatment plan for patients with these cancers must address the high incidence of residual disease at the biopsy site, multicentricity, and the proved capacity for invasive lesions to metastasize to the axillary lymph nodes, regardless of the size of the primary tumor.

The accuracy of ultrasound in the diagnosis of breast disease.

Abstract: The accuracy of breast ultrasound using all purpose static beta-scanning equipment has been compared with mammography. Ultrasound was found to be both more sensitive (93%:82%) and specific (95%:89%) in a large retrospective series of 1000 patients undergoing investigation for symptomatic breast disease. In a smaller prospective and consecutive series of 142 patients undergoing surgery where histological proof was obtained ultrasound was also found to be more sensitive (91%:81%) and specific (81%:69%). In both studies, the greater accuracy of ultrasound was attributed to its ability to diagnose lesions hidden in X-ray dense breasts and where mammography had revealed featureless asymmetical densities of uncertain nature. In these instances ultrasound may have a significant role to play as an adjunct to mammography in the preoperative assessment of breast lesions.

The impact of breast cancer screening on survival. A 5- to 10-year follow-up study

Abstract: The Missouri Breast Cancer Detection Demonstration Project (BCDDP) at the Cancer Research Center in Columbia, Missouri, detected 136 malignant lesions among 10,187 asymptomatic participants between 1974 and 1980. Mammography was the sole detection modality in 76 or 56% of cases (Group 1). Mammography combined with physical examination revealed 41 (30%) additional cases (Group 2). Physical examination alone detected 19 (14%) cases (Group 3). Follow-up was complete in all cases. There were 26 (19%) noninvasive and 110 (81%) invasive lesions. Positive axillary nodes were found in 34 (25%) cases, and 102 (75%) patients had negative nodes. The overall 5-year survival was 84.5%. After a minimum follow-up of 5 years and a median follow-up of 8.5 years, 108 patients are alive, 5 of whom have recurrences. Among 28 deceased patients, 9 died of causes unrelated to breast cancer. The 5-year survival of Group 1 was 95% (72/76). Among this group of patients, 84% (64/76) had negative lymph nodes. At 5 to 10 years follow-up, there have been no breast cancer-related deaths among this group, and only one patient has recurrent disease 91 months after mastectomy. Furthermore, 85% (22/26) of all noninvasive lesions were found in this group. Of the remaining 12 patients diagnosed by mammography alone but who had positive nodes, the 5-year survival was 75% (9/12). By contrast, patients diagnosed by mammography plus physical examination (Group 2) experienced a survival of 71% (29/41) at 5 years. Sixty-three percent of patients diagnosed by physical examination had negative lymph nodes. Their 5-year survival was 84%, which contrasts with a 50% 5-year survival for patients with positive nodes. In Group 3, 79% (15/19) had negative nodes. The 5-year survival rate of this group was 74% (14/19), and the 5-year survival rate of the node-negative patients with invasive disease in this group was 29% and 21% lower than that of the node-negative patients with invasive disease of Groups 1 and 2, respectively (P less than 0.01). This study suggests that improved survival in breast cancer screening program is in large measure dependent on the ability to detect lesions before they become palpable. The authors conclude that mammography is a determining factor in early diagnosis, and at 5 to 10 years contributes significantly to improved 5- and 10-year survival rates.

Screening mammography: referral practices of Los Angeles physicians

Abstract: The American Cancer Society (ACS) recommends annual screening mammography for asymptomatic women over 50 years old. In a survey of attitudes and referral practices toward screening mammography, one-fifth (886) of the 4200 physicians queried returned a postage-paid questionnaire. Only 11% of respondents followed the ACS guidelines. Physicians under 40 years old, in group practice, or in surgical specialties were more apt to refer their patients for screening. The major deterrent to referral was the perceived high cost and low yield of screening. However, 80% of the physicians indicated they would refer patients over 50 who requested annual screening. Annual mammography screening is underused; greater efforts must be directed toward educating physicians and patients regarding its value and toward lowering its cost.

Multicentricity in nonpalpable breast carcinoma and its implications for treatment

Abstract: During a 9 year period, 300 consecutive women underwent breast biopsies solely because of nonpalpable, mammographically suspicous findings. One hundred clinically occult breast carcinomas were found, 65 of which were invasive and 35 noninvasive. Eighty-three mastectomy specimens were evaluable for evidence of multifocal carcinoma in another quadrant of the breast or at a distance of 5 cm and residual cancer outside the excisional biopsy cavity. Multicentricity was present in 47 percent and residual tumor in 60 percent of the whole group. When only clinically occult invasive carcinomas were considered, other foci of invasive carcinoma were demonstrated in 26 percent of the patients and residual invasive cancer in 35 percent. The rate of bilaterality was 14 percent, occurring synchronously in 11 percent of the patients. Any therapeutic procedure for nonpalpable breast carcinoma, whether invasive or noninvasive ductal carcinoma, should be directed to the whole breast. Mammography of the contralateral side should be an integral part of the preoperative workup of patients with palpable lesions ipsilaterally.

The dense mammogram.

Abstract: Recently in AJR Marc Homer commented on the wording of the mammography report [1 ]. Our intent is to support his concerns and help clarify the confusion regarding terminology, the concept of normality, and the relationship of imaging patterns to risk factors for breast cancer. The success of mammography in the detection of and screening for breast cancer is clear. No other technique now known is its equal in the detection of occult cancers. However, the examination is certainly not flawless. Many cancers escape detection, often because of interference by the density of the surrounding breast tissue. This dense breast pattern interferes with our diagnostic ability. Further, we are uncertain whether this radiographic pattern of dense breast tissue is normal (albeit a bothersome interference), distinctly abnormal, or indicative of medically meaningful risk of subsequent cancer development.

The misuse of mammography in the management of breast cancer.

Abstract: In the six years from 1979 to 1985, a total of 735 women were referred to the Department of Radiation Oncology, Westmead Hospital, for the management of primary breast cancer. Of these, 218 had undergone mammography after the discovery of their breast tumour. In 95 of those patients with breast cancer the mammogram had failed to define the carcinoma. For almost 50% of the patients with a negative result of a mammogram, the negative report result had, in our opinion, led to a delay in definitive management and to the re-presentation of those patients at a later date with a disease of poorer prognosis. A false-negative result of a mammogram was particularly likely to be obtained in young premenopausal women with small tumours. When these women finally presented with breast cancer, the tumour was larger, and the prevalences of pathological involvement of the axillary nodes and of locally advanced disease were significantly greater. The misuse of mammography as a diagnostic tool in patients with symptomatic disease is dangerous in that it has a significant false-negative rate which carries with it the serious risk of postponing a biopsy.

Comparison of mammography and transillumination light scanning in the detection of breast lesions

Abstract: A prospective study was done involving 822 women who had both film screen mammography and a breast transillumination light scan examination. The study population was not randomized; a modified phase-2 study was done. Mammography was superior for detecting malignancy: of the 67 pathologically proved breast cancers, 64 (95.5%) were detected by mammography and 45 (67.2%) were detected by transillumination. Biopsy revealed that 74 patients had benign lesions. In this group of patients, the false-positive rate was 12.2% for light scanning and 79.7% for mammography; however, 117 other patients had false-positive light scans.

Audit procedures in the National Breast Screening Study: mammography interpretation.

Abstract: Audit procedures for mammography interpretation in a national breast cancer screening program are described. Agreement between radiologists at five screening centers and a single reference radiologist was evaluated based on mammograms at initial screen in 739 women not known to have breast cancer and 204 breast cancer cases detected at or within a year of initial screen. Kappa statistics, used to measure agreement in the interpretation of mammograms between the reference and center radiologists beyond that attributable to chance, were 0.409 in women not known to have breast cancer, 0.472 in women with diagnosed breast cancer, and 0.493 for all women with p less than .0001 for all three categories. To our knowledge, this is the first report presenting measures of agreement made systematically, simultaneously, and on a continuing basis, during a screening program for quality assurance.

Infrared light scanning of the breast.

Abstract: Transillumination and Infrared Light Scanning (ILS) of the breast were evaluated in a high referral breast clinic over a 15-month period Seven hundred (700) patients were examined and blindly transilluminated; 101 were biopsied, all had mammography The study was conducted in two phases: Phase I evaluated transillumination without ILS This included 22 biopsied patients out of 101, with eight carcinomas identified histologically, demonstrating 87 per cent sensitivity and 64 per cent specificity for transillumination, versus 87 per cent and 71 per cent for mammography, and 87 per cent and 57 per cent for examination Phase II evaluated simple transillumination combined with ILS This included 79 biopsied patients out of 101 with 26 carcinomas identified histologically, demonstrating 96 per cent sensitivity and 74 per cent specificity for transillumination combined with ILS compared to 85 per cent and 72 per cent for mammography and 81 per cent and 73 per cent for examination Of the 26 Phase II carcinomas identified, two were not felt by examination, and two were neither felt nor read correctly by mammography ILS of the breast has proven effective in the hands of trained personnel and should be used with routine breast examination or mammography to increase yieldmore » of breast pathology« less

Evaluation of nonpalpable breast lesions: Experience in a training institution

Abstract: Biopsy directed by needle localization is a safe and relatively simple method of obtaining abnormal tissue for histologic examination without sacrificing surrounding normal breast tissue. In the setting of a training institution, accurate results can be expected as technical skills are obtained by a variety of housestaff. In this series of 70 biopsies, the lesion targeted on mammography was removed on the initial attempt in all but 1 instance, for an overall accuracy of 99 percent.

Mammography and screening for breast cancer.

Abstract: Data corruption is the term used by computer personnel to explain how and why a computer sporadically produces incorrect or unreadable data. It is not just the concern of these experts, however: it should concern everybody from the person whose name unexpectedly appears on a bad debt register to the general practitioner with his surgery computer. The main causes of data corruption are defects in the hardware (for example, in the integrated circuit chips) and problems concerning the user and the software the programs. Three parts of the computer hardware may cause data corruption: the integrated circuits, the magnetic storage media (tapes or discs), and power supplies. Modern integrated circuits are very reliable and have lifetimes of more than 10 years, but they are easily damaged by inappropriate handling. In practice defects in the circuits are rarely a problem; much more frequently data corruption results from damage to the storage media. For example, a microscopic speck of grit may damage the surface of a disc and erase information or make it unreadable. A minute scratch has a large effect because it disorganises the data sequence. All large computer installations filter and humidify incoming air-and staff working in the computer area should be forbidden to smoke. Any part of the computer system may malfunction if the power supply unit does not remove transient high voltages in the mains. Ideally a power unit should also contain an auxiliary battery so that if the mains fails there is enough power for the computer to close down its operation in an orderly way. Vandals may gain access to the computer by a telephone line or by using an unguarded keyboard. Computer vandals usually have considerable skill and may find a route to the deepest software recesses of the computer and there cause extensive corruption. An inexpert computer user may accidentally enter data that are not displayed on the screen but which form characters in the memory. These are then transmitted to the storage media and stay there until they cause trouble later on. Well designed software should trap such characters and notify the user. Unfortunately, inexpert users have a knack of doing the most unexpected things and somehow even the best traps may fail. Nevertheless, the main source of data corruption is poorly designed software. Given that information is typed into the computer correctly, a program should check the entry, where it is to be put, and how it is to be arranged and used. The problem is that when a software program has many options it may be impossible for the designer to test them all. For example, in a program where information from the user causes the flow to branch five times there are 32 possible paths to completion. In a larger program (such as that used by a general practitioner to store data on patients) the number of possible paths is enormous, and few software firms could guarantee to have checked all the permutations. What, then, can be done to prevent data corruption and to cure it once present? To deal with the hardware first, the preventive approach is based on providing the computer with an optimum environment and a protected mains supply with auxiliary battery facilities. At the least a \"No Smoking\" room should be set aside for the computer, where all its media and supplies can be stored securely. Data corruption caused by software can be prevented only by good design. For this reason anyone buying software should talk to unbiased users to see if they have had any problems with the proposed software. The conservative approach is to buy software that has been available for a year or two-since all its errors are likely to have been detected and corrected.

Cystic hygroma of the breast.

Abstract: Cystic hygroma is a common benign lymphatic tumor that presents at birth or during infancy. We report an unusual case of a cystic hygroma of the breast, which was discovered in a 49-year-old woman on screening mammography.