The Accuracy of the Physical Examination, Mammography, and Ultrasonography in the Assessment of Tumor Size and Axillary Lymph Node Metastasis in Breast Cancer Patient

Abstract

mammography, and sonography for axillary node involvement were 37.5%, 57.7%, and 73.9%, respectively, and with specificity of 98.1%, 86.5%, and 92.9%, respectively, and with positive predictive value of 93.8%, 75.0%, and 85.0%, respectively. Conclusion: Physical examination is the best non-invasive predictor of the real size of palpable primary breast cancer, whereas high resolution duplex ultrasonography is most sensitive assessment method of axillary lymph node status. The specificity of axillary nodal status can be increased by fine-needle biopsy under sonographic guidance and it can be serve as useful adjuncts to sentinel node biopsy. (Journal of Korean Breast Cancer Society 2003;6:87-94)