Role of full-field digital mammography in diagnosis of early breast cancer

Objective: To study the value of full-field digital mammography(FFDM) in diagnosing early breast carcinoma.Methods: Fifty-eight cases of breast cancer confirmed by surgery and pathology were collected in the study.All the cases had been examined by FFDM before surgery.Craniocaudal view and midiolateral oblique view were conducted,and midiolateral view or spot view was employed when necessary.Results: Lumps were detected in 38 cases,malignant calcification was noticed in 26 cases,focal architecture distortion in 8 cases,small focus of increased density in 4 cases,"ductal sign" in 5 cases and distended blood vessel in 15 cases.The diagnosis rate was 87.9% by FFDM.Conclusions: FFDM can clearly demonstrate each layer of the breast,as well as the direct and indirect signs of breast carcinoma,which is of great value in diagnosis of early breast carcinoma.