Ultrasound Aids Breast Conservation in Lumpectomy

The study, conducted by researchers at the University of Virginia Health Sciences Center (Charlottesville, USA; www.med.virginia.edu), was published in the Annals of Surgery (2001;223:761-768).

The study involved two groups of women undergoing lumpectomy for palpable breast cancer, one group using intraoperative ultrasound and the other group without ultrasound. Pathologic specimens were evaluated for size, margins, and accuracy, and patients were questioned about satisfaction with cosmetic results.

The researchers found that surgical accuracy was improved with intraoperative ultrasound-guided surgery. They report that use of ultrasound improved margin status, resulted in equivalent patient satisfaction, and did not affect the cost of the procedure. Intraoperative ultrasound appears especially efficacious for women whose preoperative mammogram shows dense parenchyma surrounding the lesion.

Univ. of Virginia. >> www.med.virginia.edu