MAMMOGRAPHIC AND ULTRASONOGRAPHIC CORRELATION IN THE DIAGNOSIS OF BREAST CANCER: A LITERATURE REVIEW

Abstract

This study aimed to characterize the role of mammography and ultrasonography in the early diagnosis of breast cancer in women with high breast density. A narrative literature review was adopted, with searches in the following databases: PubMed, SciELO and Lilacs, selecting articles between the years 2000 to 2025, based on the following descriptors: “mammography”, “ultrasonography”, “diagnosis” and “breast cancer”. Original articles, reviews and technical reports in Portuguese or English were included, and abstracts without full text, articles in other languages and studies not focused on breast imaging were excluded. Data extraction focused on sensitivity, specificity, additional yield and profile of detected lesions. The results indicated that the association of ultrasound with mammography increases on average 3–5 additional cases of cancer detected per 1000 exams, predominantly identifying small invasive lesions, without nodal involvement. It is concluded that the combination of mammography and ultrasound significantly improves diagnostic accuracy, especially in women with dense breasts. This combination allows early detection of small invasive lesions, reduces false negatives and favors interventions in early stages. Therefore, its judicious application in population screening programs is recommended.