Biomedical subjects

Claudia Berman

Publications and source records attributed to Claudia Berman.

3 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2006

Computerized analysis of tissue density effect on missed cancer detection in digital mammography.

This paper presents a study of the analysis of breast density in missed cancer cases and the effect of tissue density on cancer detection. A total of 100 missed cancer cases were collected. The breast density tissue was segmented with a statistical-based method. A set of tests was then applied to examine: (1) the differences in density between the mammograms at the detected stage and that at missed stage; (2) the density difference between the cancerous mammograms and their contra-lateral normal mammograms in the missed cancer cases; (3) the effect of breast density on CAD cancer detection. The results demonstrate that breast density is an important factor affecting not only radiologist's reading but also CAD performance. In order to improve early detection of breast cancer, a special effort should be directed to the high dense breast cases in CAD system design.

Breast Neoplasms↗

PubMed2003

Radioactive seed localization breast biopsy and lumpectomy: can specimen radiographs be eliminated?

BACKGROUND: Wire localization (WL) is the current standard for surgical diagnosis of nonpalpable breast lesions. Many disadvantages inherent to WL are solved with radioactive seed localization (RSL). This trial investigated the ability of RSL to reduce the need for specimen radiographs and operating room delays associated with WL. METHODS: A total of 134 women were entered onto an institutional review board-approved study. RSL was performed by placing a titanium seed containing.29 to 20 mCi of iodine-125 to within 1 cm of the suggestive breast lesion. The surgeon used a handheld gamma detector to locate and excise the iodine-125 seed and the lesion. RESULTS: Specimen radiographs were eliminated in 98 (79%) of 124 patients. Surgical seed retrieval was 100% in 124 patients. No seed migration occurred after correct radiographical placement. A total of 26 (21%) of 124 patients required a specimen radiograph; 22 (85%) of these 26 were performed for microcalcifications. CONCLUSIONS: After surgical removal, RSL can eliminate specimen radiographs when the radiologist accurately places the seed and the pathologist grossly identifies the lesion. If small microcalcifications are noted before surgery, then specimen radiographs may be necessary. RSL reduced requirements for specimen radiographs, decreased OR time, improved incision placement, and improved resections to clear margins.

Adult↗

PubMed1999

Lymphatic Mapping and Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy.

The status of the regional nodal basin remains the most important prognostic indicator of survival. The current standard of care for the management of invasive breast cancer is the complete removal of the tumor, with documentation of negative margins by either mastectomy or lumpectomy, followed by complete axillary lymph node dissection. Data suggest that complete lymph node dissection (CLND) provides better local control of the disease and may actually offer a survival advantage. Lymphatic mapping and sentinel lymph node (SLN) biopsy are clearly changing this long-held paradigm and have the potential to change the standard of surgical care of the breast cancer patient. The purpose of this report is to describe the lymphatic mapping experience at the H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute. From April 1994 to January 1999, 1,147 consecutive breast cancer patients were enrolled in an institutional review board-approved lymphatic mapping protocol. Lymphatic mapping was performed using Tc99m-labeled sulfur colloid and isosulfan blue dye. An SLN was defined as any blue node and/or any hot node with ex vivo radioactivity counts >/=10 times an excised non-SLN or in situ radioactivity counts >/=3 times the background counts. Lymphatic mapping was successful in identifying the SLN in 1,098 of 1,147 (95.7%) cases. In the first 186 patients, all of whom underwent CLND following SLN biopsy, one false-negative biopsy was encountered for a false-negative rate of 0.83%. The method of diagnosis (excisional versus minimally invasive) does not appear to impact on lymphatic mapping. Tumor size, however, is directly related to the probability of axillary lymph node involvement. Advances in technology and the development of minimally invasive surgical techniques have heralded a new era in surgery. Lymphatic mapping and SLN biopsy may actually prove to be a more accurate method of identifying metastases to the axilla by allowing a more focused pathologic examination of the axillary node(s) at highest risk for metastasis. With adequate training, this technique can be readily implemented as a valuable tool in the surgical treatment of breast cancer.

Journal Article↗