Can Radiologists Predict the Presence of Ductal Carcinoma In Situ and Invasive Breast Cancer?

Objective: We hypothesize that radiologists' estimated percentage likelihood assessments for the presence of ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) and invasive cancer may predict histologic outcomes.

Materials And Methods: Two hundred fifty cases categorized as BI-RADS category 4 or 5 at four University of California Medical Centers were retrospectively reviewed by 10 academic radiologists with a range of 1-39 years in practice. Readers assigned BI-RADS category (1, 2, 3, 4a, 4b, 4c, or 5), estimated percentage likelihood of DCIS or invasive cancer (0-100%), and confidence rating (1 = low, 5 = high) after reviewing screening and diagnostic mammograms and ultrasound images.

Inter-reader Variability in the Use of BI-RADS Descriptors for Suspicious Findings on Diagnostic Mammography: A Multi-institution Study of 10 Academic Radiologists.

Rationale And Objectives: The study aimed to determine the inter-observer agreement among academic breast radiologists when using the Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System (BI-RADS) lesion descriptors for suspicious findings on diagnostic mammography.

Materials And Methods: Ten experienced academic breast radiologists across five medical centers independently reviewed 250 de-identified diagnostic mammographic cases that were previously assessed as BI-RADS 4 or 5 with subsequent pathologic diagnosis by percutaneous or surgical biopsy. Each radiologist assessed the presence of the following suspicious mammographic findings: mass, asymmetry (one view), focal asymmetry (two views), architectural distortion, and calcifications.

Breast magnetic resonance imaging for monitoring response to therapy.

There is no difference in disease-free or overall survival in patients who undergo adjuvant versus neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Thus, neoadjuvant chemotherapy is recommended in patients with locally advanced breast cancer who would like to consider breast conservation, and is also the primary treatment in patients with inflammatory breast cancer. Magnetic resonance has emerged as the most sensitive imaging modality to assess the response of tumor to neoadjuvant chemotherapy.