Prognostic factors of breast neoplasms detected on screening by mammography and physical examination.

A total of 183 neoplasms detected on screening women between the ages of 45 and 64 by mammography and physical examination were analyzed according to multiple histologic parameters. In general, tumors apparent only on mammography should be associcated with favorable long-term survival because of their early stage. These lesions had histologic features indicating significant potential for subsequent metastatic spread. This analysis strongly suggests that mammographic screening of asymptomatic women both above and below 50 years of age can substantially reduce breast cancer mortality.