Measurement of malignant spiculated mass lesions on mammogram: Do we include the length of the spicules?

Aim: The aim of this study is to determine if the core size or size with spicules has a better correlation with the final histologic size of spiculated mass lesions.

Methods: A retrospective study of 48-month duration from January 2014 to December 2017 of biopsy-proven invasive ductal carcinoma presenting as spiculated mass lesions on mammogram was conducted.

Results: There were 195 patients in the study. The mean of the core size was 16.6 mm; when spicules were included the mean size was 27.4mm and final histologic size 21.1 mm. Using unpaired Student 't' test difference in the means was statistically significant (p<0.0001). Pearson number (R) core size versus final histologic size was 0.535 (P < 0.001) and for size with spicules versus final histologic size was 0.495 (P < 0.001).

Conclusion: Our study demonstrated that the core size has a stronger positive correlation to final histologic size and should be used preoperatively in decision-making about surgery.