Ultrasonographic Criteria of Breast Lesions: Radiologic-Histopathologic Correlation

Breast cancer is the most common cause of cancer in women and the second most common cause of cancer death in women in the USA (United States of America). Worldwide, breast cancer comprises (10.4 %) of all cancer incidences among women, making it the second most common type of non-skin cancer (after lung cancer) and the fifth most common cause of cancer death. Saudi Arabia is no exception, where cancer of breast is most commonly prevalent as according to a report of Saudi National Cancer Registry (2000-2004). Breast ultrasound proposes an attempt to characterize the breast lesions. The use of ultrasound in addition to clinical examination and mammography may result in an increased rate of breast cancer detection particularly if combined gray scale US and power Doppler US criteria of malignancy are well recognized. This is of particular importance in those patients under 30 years of age as it is the usual initial breast imaging modality for them in many countries. The ACR described BIRADS lexicon classification for US in 2003, provides a common language and determine a more accurate description for clinician and is considered as a standard guideline that is widely used in the evaluation and categorization of breast lesions.