Profile of Digital Mammography Findings in Patients with Histopathologically Proven Ductal Carcinoma in Situ (DCIS)

Abstract

Breast carcinoma is a heterogeneous group of tumors with a wide spectrum of clinical presentations, lesion characterization and diagnostic evaluation. Ductal carcinoma in situ accounts for 15%-20% of breast carcinomas detected in screened populations. Ductal carcinoma in situ has a variable appearance on mammography. The use of mammography has become as a very helpful tool for the early detection of larger number of patients with ductal carcinoma in situ and, thus, offering timely surgery and the need for the appropriate radiation treatment to patients. This study was undertaken as a hospital-based retrospective study to evaluate the varied spectrum of mammographic findings in 57 women with histopathological diagnosis of ductal carcinoma in situ. The spectrum of mammographic findings of ductal carcinoma in situ was found to vary widely. A thorough and vigilant inspection of a mammogram is necessary for all the patients to avoid the possibility of missing early diagnosis of this entity, since the findings are very subtle. Most cases show microcalcifications on mammograms and their early detection can help in early diagnosis, thereby offering conservative surgical approach to a patient. Microcalcifications can be present isolated or in association with a mass. These are mostly clustered in distribution followed by regional, segmental and ductal pattern of distribution. The morphology of microcalcifications is mostly amorphous, followed by pleiomorphic and fine heterogenous types. Hence, the mammogram must be interpreted with strict vigilance and proper attention to all aspects for early and correct diagnosis of ductal carcinoma in situ to help in proper guidance of its treatment.