Mammographic parenchymal patterns of 1,666 Thai women : A mammographic screening evaluation

Abstract

Introduction : Breast density, a measure of the extent of radiodense fibroglandular tissue in the breast, has a potentiality to be used as a predictor for breast cancer. We assessed breast density in Thai women using Wolfe’s parenchymal patterns which is one of the most reliable methods for the evaluation.

Objective : To assess breast parenchymal patterns of Thai women.

Setting : King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital.

Research design : Retrospective study.

Patients : Women who underwent mammogram screening from July to December 2002 at King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital (KCMH).

Methods : Normal mammograms of the screening women were reviewed for breast parenchymal patterns according to Wolfe’s classification.

Result : The breast parenchymal patterns, according to age groups, were as follows: 35 - 44 years old ( total 395 cases) had N1 feature 3 cases (0.8%), P1 feature 25 cases (6.3%), P2 114 cases (28.9%) and DY feature 253 cases (64.1%); 45-54 years old (total 786 cases) had N1 feature 22 cases (2.8%), P1 feature 85 cases (10.8%), P2 feature 324 cases (41.1%) and DY feature 355 cases (45.2%); 55 - 64 years old (total 394 cases) had N1 feature 34 cases (8.6%), P1 feature 74 cases (18.8%), P2 feature 183 cases (46.5%) and DY feature 103 cases (26.2%); and, 65 -74 years old (total 91 cases) had N1 feature 23 cases (25.3%), P1 feature 34 cases (37.4%), P2 feature 28 cases (30.8%) and DY feature 6 cases (6.6%).

Conclusion : Type P2 and DY which represent dense breasts were the most prevalent among Thai women who underwent screening mammography.