Purpose: To prospectively assess the effect of computer-aided detection (CAD) on the interpretation of screening mammograms in a community breast center.
Materials and methods: Over a 12-month period, 12,860 screening mammograms were interpreted with the assistance of a CAD system. Each mammogram was initially interpreted without the assistance of CAD, followed immediately by a reevaluation of areas marked by the CAD system. Data were recorded to measure the effect of CAD on the recall rate, positive predictive value for biopsy, cancer detection rate, and stage of malignancies at detection.
Results: When comparing the radiologist's performance without CAD with that when CAD was used, the authors observed the following: (a) an increase in recall rate from 6.5% to 7.7%, (b) no change in the positive predictive value for biopsy at 38%, (c) a 19.5% increase in the number of cancers detected, and (d) an increase in the proportion of early-stage (0 and I) malignancies detected from 73% to 78%.
Conclusion: The use of CAD in the interpretation of screening mammograms can increase the detection of early-stage malignancies without undue effect on the recall rate or positive predictive value for biopsy.