Well-defined nodules in mammography

This paper presents a study to determine the expected course of a single well-defined nodule at mammography based on its size at presentation. Between May 1986 and June 1987, 6,735 mammograms were obtained. Approximately 3% were found to have single well-circumscribed nodules that were thought to require either 6-month follow-up mammograms or biopsy. The authors have retrospectively examined the change in size of these nodules over a 2-year period or reviewed biopsy results. Only nonpalpable nodules were included in the study. Preliminary results show that of those nodules smaller than 5 mm at the time of presentation, 100% either remained the same size or became smaller