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Supplemental screening ultrasound increases cancer detection yield in BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutation carriers

  • Gynecologic Oncology
  • Published:
Archives of Gynecology and Obstetrics Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Introduction

This study aimed at evaluating the efficacy of ultrasound for the early detection of breast cancers in BRCA1/2 mutation carriers.

Methods

Between 01/1997 and 10/2008 221 BRCA1/2 mutation carriers participated in a breast cancer screening program which included semi-annual ultrasound in combination with annual mammography and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Women underwent on average (median) five semi-annual screening rounds with a range of one to 22 appointments, totaling 1,855 rounds of screening. All three imaging modalities were coded according to the American College of Radiology (BI-RADS classification).

Results

In total, we detected 27 BRCA-associated breast cancers in 25 patients. The sensitivity was 77 % for ultrasound, 27 % for mammography, and 100 % for MRI. Three tumors were detected directly as a result of only the semi-annual ultrasound screen.

Conclusions

Due to the specific tumor morphology and the considerably elevated tumor doubling time, mutation carriers benefit from the addition of semi-annual ultrasound screening as a sensitive and cost-effective method.

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Abbreviations

CBE:

Clinical breast examination

US:

Ultrasound

MG:

Mammography

MRI:

Magnetic resonance imaging

ACR:

American College of Radiology

BI-RADS:

Breast Imaging and Reporting and Data System

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Acknowledgement

Our work has been supported by the German Cancer Aid.

Conflict of interest

The authors declare that they have no competing interests.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Center for Familial Breast and Ovarian Cancer, University Hospital of Cologne, Cologne, Germany

    Kristin Bosse, Monika Graeser, Rita K. Schmutzler & Kerstin Rhiem

  2. Radiologische Klinik Merheim, Cologne, Germany

    Axel Goßmann

  3. Department for Radiology, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany

    Matthias Hackenbroch

Authors
  1. Kristin Bosse
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  2. Monika Graeser
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  3. Axel Goßmann
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  4. Matthias Hackenbroch
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  5. Rita K. Schmutzler
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  6. Kerstin Rhiem
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Kerstin Rhiem.

Additional information

Both K. Bosse and M. Graeser contributed equally to this work.

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Bosse, K., Graeser, M., Goßmann, A. et al. Supplemental screening ultrasound increases cancer detection yield in BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutation carriers. Arch Gynecol Obstet 289, 663–670 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00404-013-3022-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00404-013-3022-6

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