Female Breast Examination

While radiology only reveals one aspect of the entire ana- tomical picture, a certain diagnostic precision can be at- tained by skillfully combining different techniques. The re- sulting images often uncover the hidden reality. This near perfection is most clearly seen - and is also most essential - in the study of the breast. One must remember that in the western world, one woman in fifteen develops breast can- cer. It follows that the key to effective treatment is early and precise diagnosis. An understanding of the various breast tissues and of benign pathology is also indispensable in determining local risk. How to achieve this goal of early and precise diagnosis is the problem addressed in this well-documented text demonstrating the considerable experience of Dr. CLAUDE ANNONIER. A fresh look at the technical aspects and a com- plete clinical analysis together show the successes and limi- tations of modern methods and the need to combine different techniques in most cases. Evaluation of the various methods provides justification, if still needed, for the author's con- tention that mammography alone is insufficient. Progress in the field is making it possible to detect smaller and smaller lesions, whose malignancy cannot be determined without needle or surgical biopsy. More generally, the author un- derlines the necessity for complete cooperation between diagnostician and therapist. Follow-up for the 'treated' breast is largely in the hands of the radiologist, who must, however, work together with other specialists.