The interpretation of mammographic ductal enlargement in cancerous breasts.

The xeromammograms of 128 women with breast cancer were coded radiologically according to Wolfe's gradings. The mastectomy specimens were then histologically examined for the presence of ductal abnormality. The ducts were found to be normal in the cases coded as normal radiologically but they were not always abnormal histologically when considered to be abnormal radiologically. ‘Ductal prominence’ may be due to duct ectasia, intraduct hyperplasia or periductal collagenosis.