Mammographic patterns as markers for high-risk benign breast disease and incident cancers.

Abstract

A study was done to determine whether the risk of cancer development can be calculated through the use of mammographic patterns. Hyperplasia, bland fibrocystic disease and incident cancers were correlated with Wolfe''s mammographic classification scheme. Intraobserver and interobserver consistency were measured in the 8033 classified mammograms. Maximum observer agreement was achieved by combining high-risk and low-risk categories. Diffuse mammographic patterns do not appear to be useful predictors for determining strategies of screening or patient management; large scale studies are needed before mammographic classification is adopted.