Electropotential measurements as a new diagnostic modality for breast cancer.

Background: Proliferative changes in breast epithelium are an intrinsic aspect in the development of breast cancer, and result in regions of epithelial electrical depolarisation within the breast parenchyma, which can extend to the skin surface. Diagnostic information might be obtained from a non-imaging and non-invasive test based on skin-surface electropotentials.

Methods: In 661 women, scheduled for open biopsy at eight European centres, we studied whether measurements of breast electrical activity with surface sensors could distinguish benign from malignant breast disease.

Results of breast conserving therapy for early breast cancer and the role of mammographic follow-up.

Purpose: The following article is a review of 23 years of breast-conserving therapy in our hospital. This study was performed to assess and improve the follow-up care of women with early breast cancer and to evaluate whether or not biannual mammogram is useful.

Methods And Materials: Between 1972 and December 1995, 3072 women with pathological size pT1 and pT2 breast cancer were treated with conservative surgery and radiation therapy.

[Quality assurance by improved cooperation structures. The example of decentralized early detection mammography].

The German Mammography Study investigated into quality assurance measures for screening mammography, proceeding in a decentralised manner and focussing especially on structure, process and outcome of the study. The field phase lasted for three years, and during this period the technology of the equipment used in mammography improved, also to the indicators of process and of early outcome. The annual interval of examinations was well received.