DIAGNOSTIC ACCURACY OF COMBINED MAMMOGRAPHY AND ULTRASONOGRAPHY IN BREAST MALIGNANCY: A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS IN WESTERN RAJASTHAN POPULATION

Objective: The breast cancer is a serious health concern for women that is receiving more attention due to its rising incidence and mortality. In the past 26 y, every state in the US has seen a rise in the age-standardized incidence rate of breast cancer in females, which rose by markedly in last 20 y. Methods: A total of 100 female patients above 30 y age referred from out-patient for routine breast screening (BIRAD 2 or above), with or without lump or nodularity in the breast, with complaint of pain in the breast and history of nipple discharge were recruited into this prospective study. Ultrasonography and mammography BIRADS were performed and correlated with histology findings. This study was performed in the radiodiagnosis department at a tertiary care center in Western Rajasthan. Results: The mean age of study participants was 46.9 y±10.52. Majority of the patients belonged to 41-50 year age group (40%). Out of 100 patients, 32% females had family history of breast cancer. The false negative rate of mammography and ultrasonography was 3% and 9%, respectively with highest percentage in 41-50 y age group (7.5%). The combined sensitivity of mammography and ultrasound (93.94%) was higher than individual techniques. Conclusion: Combining ultrasonography and mammography findings improves cancer detection in screening of women at risk for breast cancer. The higher imaging BI-RADS classification grade showed a positive predictive value in detecting breast malignancy.