Retrospective analysis of suspicious non palpable breast lesions from : the initial years of the Breast Unit in Malta

Abstract

Aim: The aim of this retrospective study was to analyse the false positive rate of suspicious non palpable breast lesions detected by ultrasonography and mommography. Method: the data was collected from the first seven years (2000-2007) since the set up of the Breast Unit in Malta. Results: The results showed that the false positive rate for suspicious breast lesions detected by ultrasound and mammography were 84% and 57.6% respectively. The overall false positive rate was 62.5%. Conclusion: The overall false positive rate for suspicious breast lesions detected by both radiographic modalities is high in our unit when compared to that of other countries. Suggestions for improvement are discussed.