Size and Location of Palpable Breast Mass by Mammography and Breast Ultrasonography

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the size and location of the palpable breast mass and rate of malignancy in Thai female patients at Thammasat University Hospital.

Methods: The study was a retrospective descriptive study in Thai female patients who was older than 15 years oldand presented with palpable breast mass. They were sent for breast ultrasonography or mammography. Breast mass was categorited into 3 subgroups as followed, 1) malignancy in positive palpable breast mass and proven by pathologic results, 2) benign positive palpable breast mass and 3) positive non-palpable breast mass.

Results: 195 female patients were included, who had total of 198 palpable breast masses. From 198 masses, 40 masses were malignant (20.2%), mean size = 2.858 ± 1.678 cm. The mean size of 158 benign positive palpable breast masses was 1.162 ± 0.168 cm. There were 315 positive non-palpable breast masses, mean size = 0.747 ± 0.151 cm. The mean size was signifi cantly different between groups. The age of the malignant group was significantly higher than the benign group. Most masses in all groups located at upper outer quadrant (UOQ).

Conclusion: The size of palpable breast mass was statistically signifi cant higher than non-palpable breast mass, especially malignant group had the biggest size. There was no difference in the location between the malignant group and the benign group.

Key words: Palpable breast mass, Breast mass, Mammography, Breast ultrasonography