Abnormal mammographic findings. A critical appraisal.

We performed a 1 year review of mammographic interpretations and breast biopsy experiences at Madigan Army Medical Center, correlating biopsy results with mammographic interpretations when possible. Fibrocystic mammary dysplasia was reported in two thirds of our patients, with interpretations heavily weighted toward findings of moderate or severe dysplasia. Sixteen percent of our patients had indeterminate or suspicious mammograms, and only 11 percent of the mammograms were read as normal. Of 19 patients who underwent needle-directed biopsy for nonpalpable lesions and suspicious or indeterminate mammograms, two had invasive cancer and one lobular carcinoma in situ. Our data suggest that many patients who have indeterminate mammograms are followed in preference to early biopsy if there is no palpable lesion and no high yield radiologic criteria of malignancy.