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3-D digital screening outperformed 2-D mammography in breast cancer detection
The use of combination 2-D/3-D digital breast tomosynthesis for mammography screenings appears to result in lower recall rates, a better overall cancer detection rate and increased invasive cancer detection rates vs. 2-D digital mammography, according to recent findings.
In the study, researchers evaluated performance outcome standards for 14 radiologists at Washington Radiology Associates between Aug. 9, 2011, and Nov. 30, 2012. The researchers compared outcomes from screening mammographies during the study period using 2-D/3-D digital breast tomosynthesis (3-D DBT; n=23,149) vs. 2-D digital mammography (n=54,684).
The investigators found a 16.1% relative reduction in recall rate among patients screened with 3-D DBT compared with patients screened with 2-D mammography (P>.0001). There was a 28.6% greater overall cancer detection rate, defined as number of cancers per 1,000 patients screened, with 3-D DBT (6.3/1,000) vs. 2-D mammography (4.9/1,000; P=.035). Moreover, 3-D DBT achieved a 43.8% higher detection rate for invasive cancers (4.6/1,000) vs. 2-D mammography (3.2/1,000; P=.0056). There was a 53.3% greater positive predictive value for screening recalls for 3-D DBT (4.6%) vs. 2-D mammography (3%; P=.0003). There was no significant difference in the positive predictive value for biopsy between 3-D DBT (22.8%) and 2-D mammography (23.8%; P=.696).
According to study researcher Julianne Greenberg, MD,of Washington Radiology Associates in Fairfax, Va., these findings highlight the value of 3-D DBT as an emerging breast cancer screening tool.
“We observed a significant increase in the detection rate for cancer overall and an even greater increase in the detection rate for invasive cancer,” Greenberg said in a press release. “Our results may be a bellwether for the impact of tomosynthesis on population-based breast cancer screening.”
Disclosure: The researchers report no relevant financial disclosures.