| Abstract: | Report on 21 primary breast cancers in 19 untreated women. The longest follow-up was 1074 days, the shortest 24 days. Doubling time of the tumors was calculated with Collins formula. The necessary assessment of the volume of tumors was calculated with a simple method. Doubling time differs greatly and, in parts, greatly exceeds published data. The radiologic development is surveyed. Collins formula is discussed in its strict interpretation starting from the volume of one tumor cell. Our own results lead to conclusions on the radiologic diagnosis of breast cancer. Usually diagnosis is immediately followed by therapy. Observations on the spontaneous course of, expecially primary, cancer of the breast are therefore scanty. Larger numbers of repeated mammography of the same tumor do not exist. Clinical examinations of growth belong to earlier times, the patients even to past centuries (Bloom 1964). Systematic investigations of this type cannot be defended on ethical grounds. In order to acquire insight into spontaneous growth of this cancer one has to rely on the few cases in whom operation wa5 not done for various reasons Here repeat mammography was possible. Such cases are important in practice since repeat mammography may have to be recommended by the radiologist, our own material will be discussed. |
