Study efficacy of sonomammography as screening test for breast carcinoma.

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of sonomammography as a screening test for breast carcinoma at B.K. L. Walawalkar Rural Medical College & Hospital in Maharashtra, India. The specific objectives were to assess the correlation between sonomammographic findings and histopathology results, analyze the distribution of patients based on echogenicity and orientation, and determine the mean age of the study population. Methods: A prospective cross-sectional study design was employed, and the study was conducted for one year. The study population consisted of patients referred for diagnostic workup and screening of breast cancer. Inclusion criteria encompassed an age range of 14-75 years and the absence of breast lump or asymptomatic breast swelling, while exclusion criteria included age below 14 years or above 75 years and unwillingness to undergo sonomammography. The sample size was determined based on the desired error level, and a total of 456 participants were included. Sonomammographic findings were compared with histopathology reports, and statistical analysis was performed using Pearson Chi-Square tests. Results: The mean age of the study population was 44.54 years (SD = 10.53). Analysis of echogenicity distribution revealed a higher number of benign cases (387) compared to malignant cases (69), with anechoic lesions being the most common. The correlation between echogenicity and the benign or malignant nature of breast lesions was significant (Pearson Chi-Square = 170.654, p < 0.01). Orientation analysis indicated a significant correlation between nonparallel orientation and malignant cases, while parallel orientation was more frequently associated with benign lesions (Pearson Chi-Square = 142.087, p < 0.01). The correlation between sonomammography findings and histopathology results was also significant (Pearson Chi-Square = 211.163, p < 0.01), with a strong positive correlation coefficient of 0.680. Conclusion: The findings of this study support the efficacy of sonomammography as a screening test for breast carcinoma. Sonomammography demonstrated significant correlations with histopathology results, indicating its accuracy in detecting and characterizing breast lesions. Echogenicity and orientation were found to be valuable indicators for distinguishing between benign and malignant cases. The mean age of the study population was 44.54 years. Further research and the integration of sonomammography into breast cancer screening programs are recommended to optimize early detection and improve patient outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]