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M Rosselli del Turco

Publications and source records attributed to M Rosselli del Turco.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2002

Quantification of the effect of mammographic screening on fatal breast cancers: The Florence Programme 1990-96.

Breast cancer cases diagnosed in women aged 50-69 since 1990 to 1996 in the City of Florence were partitioned into those who had been invited to screening prior to diagnosis and those who had not. All cases were followed up for vital status until 31 December 1999. The cumulative number of breast cancer deaths among the cases were divided by screening and invitation status, to give the rates of cancers proving fatal within a period of 8 years of observation (incidence-based mortality). We used the incidence-based mortality rates for two periods (1985-86, 1990-96), pre and during screening. The incidence-based mortality ratio comparing 1990-96 and 1985-86 was 0.50 (95% CI : 0.38-0.66), a significant 50% reduction. For noninvited women, compared to 1985-86, there was a 41% significant mortality reduction (RR=0.59, 95% CI : 0.42-0.82). The comparable reduction in those invited was a significant 55% (RR=0.45, 95% CI : 0.32-0.61). The incidence ratio of rates of cancers stage II or worse was close to one when the noninvited in 1990-96 were compared with 1985-86 (RR=0.97, 95% CI : 0.78-1.21). Excluding prevalent cases, the rate of stage II+ breast cancer cases was 42% lower in Screened women compared with the noninvited (RR=0.58, 95% CI : 0.45-0.74). This study confirmed that new treatments and the first rounds of the screening programme contributed to reducing mortality from breast cancer.

Aged↗
PubMed2002

Assessment of the early impact of the population-based breast cancer screening programme in Florence (Italy) using mortality and surrogate measures.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects by the end of 1999 of the Florence breast screening programme that started in 1990. Approximately 60000 women (aged 50-69 years) were enrolled from 1990 to 1993. Breast cancer cases diagnosed from 1990 to 1996 were partitioned by the method of detection, classified by their tumour size and nodal status and followed-up for mortality at on the 31 December 1999. Incidence-based mortality in the 50-74-year-old women and advanced carcinomas rates were assessed. Due to low compliance (approximately 60%) and the long enrollment phase, only approximately 35% of the total age-specific population person-years were screened. The number of invasive cases diagnosed was 1122, 17% higher than the 958 expected. After the prevalence screening, a reduction of approximately a quarter in advanced carcinomas was observed in the invited women (Odds Ratio (OR): 0.74; 95% Confidence Interval (CI): 0.55-0.98). In the period 1990-1999, 547 breast cancer deaths were observed: 78 (14%) occurred in women invited and half of these in never responders, 385 (70%) occurred in cases diagnosed before screening started. Disproportionate numbers of deaths occurred in women with advanced tumours. The 19% mortality reduction for the invited women was of borderline statistical significance (observed/expected (O/E) deaths: 0.81; 95% CI: 0.64-1.01); by a one-sided test the result would be unequivocally significant. The mortality reduction attributable to screening in the whole population over the 10-year period was 3.2%. The incidence-based mortality analysis confirmed the current follow-up time is too short for screening to have had a major effect on the breast cancer mortality trends. Screening performance might be improved by a higher level of compliance and shorter interval times, but the estimate of the mortality reduction for the invited and the lower rate of advanced carcinomas confirmed that the effect of the programme is in the expected direction.

Aged↗
PubMed1995

A model-based prediction of the impact on reduction in mortality by a breast cancer screening programme in the city of Florence, Italy.

The efficacy of breast cancer screening for women older than 50 years has been shown in several studies. Service screening is now ongoing or planned in several countries in Europe. MISCAN, a computer simulation programme, has been used to analyse data from the Florence District Programme (FDP) breast cancer experience. First, the model was fitted to the screening results for the period 1975-1986. A good correspondence between the model outcomes and the FDP results was achieved. It was then used to predict the impact on mortality of the new starting programme of the city of Florence (63,000 women, 50-69 years old). Assuming a 70% attendance rate, then for the city of Florence, 2563 screen-detected breast cancers are predicted for the period 1991-2020 out of the total number of 9095 breast cancers for all ages (28%). A total of 3720 deaths for breast cancer are expected without screening. An absolute reduction of 472 deaths (13%) is predicted for the whole population. The estimated number of years of life gained by screening until 2020 is 4354. Simulation by MISCAN has previously been a useful support tool for decision-making about screening. The present paper is the first based on a southern European experience. The possibility of applying MISCAN to predict the impact of a national programme in Italy is discussed.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

[Evaluation of the costs of mammographic screening program in the city of Florence].

This paper investigated differential direct costs determined by the difference between implementation of mammographic screening program for breast cancer detection in the city of Florence (PFD) and the "absence" of the PFD. The involved resources have been identified, quantified and evaluated. The results of the I round (1991/92) of the PFD involve the following different phases: invitations, mass screening, diagnostic assessment. Differential net costs aumonted to 780 million for total cost, and to 53,000 per screened woman. The PFD invited 27,325 women per year; at the I round, the PFD registered an attendance rate of 53.9% and a recall rate of 4.3%, with a total cost of about one thousand million and a cost per screened woman of about L. 64,000. Instead, economic results of alternative "absence" of screening registered a total cost of 170 million and a cost per screened woman of about L. 100,000. Costs for detected cancer amount about to 8.2 million for PFD and 5.7 million for "absence" of the Program. Sensitivity analysis has been performed texting the fundamental parameters of the PFD: attendance rate, recall rate and life time average of the investiments. The sensitivity analysis, performed on the PFD, registered a variation of total cost from 859 million to 1,216 million and a variation of the total cost per woman screened from L. 43,500 to L. 80,000. Sensitivity analysis results highlighted the fundamental role played by women's attendance and by the percentage of women recalled for diagnostic assessment.

Breast Neoplasms↗
PubMed1994

Breast cancer early diagnosis experience in Florence: can a self referral policy achieve the results of service screening?

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To assess the impact of a breast clinic on a specific target population and evaluate early diagnosis performance indicators for breast cancer in the presence of a self referral policy. DESIGN: Women living in Florence between 1980 and 1989 who had undergone mammography at a self referral breast clinic were studied. Main outcome measures were the use of mammography in relation to age, symptoms, and the interval between two subsequent tests, and early diagnosis performance indicators were the detection rate (DR), the prevalence/incidence ratio, and the proportion of early detected cancers. Performance indicators were compared with those from formal screening programmes. SETTING: Florence, Italy. PATIENTS: All mammograms performed at the clinic from 1980-89 in 40-69 year old women living in Florence were examined (n = 42,226). Records included the date of birth and of the examination, the reason for testing (asymptomatic/presence of pain/presence of symptoms other than pain), and the TNM classification for breast cancer cases. MAIN RESULTS: The total number of mammograms performed per annum increased by 70% over the decade, but much of this was routine repeat mammography (54.1% in 1989). Rates of first examinations in asymptomatic women increased in the second half of the decade from 17 per 1000 in 1985 to 31 per 1000 in 1989. Mammographic coverage decreased with increasing age from 12.6% in 40-49 year olds to 6.0% in 60-69 years old. Performance indicators of the activity in asymptomatic women were comparable with those expected in service screening. The proportion of not advanced cancers detected in asymptomatic women was 62.3% with a DR of 5.3 per 1000, and the average prevalence/incidence ratio was 2.9. CONCLUSIONS: High quality mammography performed in a breast clinic in self referred asymptomatic women can achieve as good results as a formal invitation screening service. Only a few of these women will benefit, but those who do are likely to be younger (40-49 year old women).

Adult↗
PubMed1994

The contribution of ultrasonography to the differential diagnosis of breast cancer.

Overall consecutive breast abnormalities (259 carcinomas, 1820 benign) examined with breast ultrasonography (US) are reported. US sensitivity, specificity and positive predictive value were 67.6, 97.7 and 81.0%, resp. (the corresponding values were 57.9, 97.9 and 77.2% for palpation, 79.9, 93.5 and 73.7% for mammography, and 97.6, 92.6 and 87.6% for cytology). US sensitivity was unaffected by age, whereas it was strongly influenced by tumor size (pT1-76.1%; pT2-87.1%) and histologic type (intraductal-7.4%; invasive ductal/lobular-83.4%; invasive special types-64.1%). The features of the lesions at US were significantly associated with cancer (irregular margins, posterior acoustic shadowing) or benign lesions (anechoic structure, lateral shadowing, posterior acoustic enhancement) but had a limited diagnostic accuracy. Overall, US visualized 174 (benign-24, suspicious-150) of 188 palpable, and 32 (benign-7, suspicious-25) of 71 nonpalpable cancers. US contribution was determinant to final diagnosis in 4 of 7 cancers, missed at palpation and mammography, but was at least partially responsible for 8 unnecessary biopsies of benign lesions. A negative/benign US report contributed to avoid unnecessary biopsy in 71 suspicious cases at palpation/mammography. Routine US examination of clinical/mammographic abnormalities is recommended for the advantages of US-guided aspiration and to reduce the frequency of unnecessary biopsies.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

[The diagnostic role of breast echography].

The authors reviewed a consecutive series of 4,160 breast lesions (511 carcinomas and 3,649 benign lesions) studied with 10-MHz US in 1990-1991. US sensitivity was 72.6%, specificity was 97.3% and positive predictive value was 78.9%. Sensitivity was independent of age whereas it strongly depended on tumor size (pT1a = 54.2%, pT1b = 70.6%, pT1c = 80.6%, pT2-4 = 90.2%) (81.1% palpable masses and 41.3% nonpalpable masses) and histologic type (11.4% intraductal carcinomas and 69.4% special types). The association was confirmed of the classic US signs with carcinoma (irregular margins and posterior shadowing) and benign lesions (lateral shadowing, no echogenicity and posterior acoustic enhancement) patterns, even though the former are not accurate enough for diagnostic purposes. US demonstrated 376 of 402 palpable carcinomas (50 diagnosed as benign and 326 as suspicious) and 58 of 109 nonpalpable carcinomas (13 diagnosed as benign and 45 as suspicious). US was the only imaging method to yield findings suggestive of cancer in 13 of 511 total cases and contributed to final diagnosis in 6 more clinically and radiologically negative cases in which US findings suggested a benign lesion but indicated the need for aspiration cytology. If on the one hand US was the only method responsible for unnecessary biopsy in 21 of 141 surgical benign lesions, on the other hand negative or benign US findings helped avoid unnecessary biopsy in 277 cases diagnosed as suspicious at palpation or mammography. US should be used as the routine examination in the assessment of clinical and mammographic abnormalities. Its contribution to cancer detection is limited but it allows the number of unnecessary biopsies to be markedly reduced as well as a more accurate guide for fine needle aspiration in most palpable cancers and in approximately half of nonpalpable ones.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

[Mammographic screening. An analysis of the characteristics of interval carcinomas observed in the program in the province of Firenze (1989-1991)].

The authors evaluated 30 interval cancers consecutively observed from 1989 to 1991 and compared them to 98 screening-detected cancers observed in the same period. Interval cancers have a more advanced stage (stage I = 13 lesions, stage II + = 17 lesions) with respect to screening-detected cancers (stage 0 = 10 lesions, stage I = 61 lesions, stage II + = 27 lesions). This finding seems unrelated to an intrinsically higher aggressivity of interval cancers (length biased sampling) which do not differ significantly from screening-detected cancers as far as histopathologic characteristics of prognostic value are concerned. Diagnostic delay due to technical or reading error (9 cases), to radiologically occult cancer in clear (10 cases) or dense parenchymal areas (11 cases) is most likely. This seems to be confirmed by the low frequency observed among interval cancers of easily visible lesions such as isolated microcalcifications (3% vs. 35%) or stellate opacities (13% vs. 31%), and by the higher frequency of opacities with irregular margins (57% vs. 26%) which are more likely masked by dense parenchyma. The chances of reducing interval cancer rate by attempting to increase sensitivity or by increasing screening frequency are discussed, as well as the possible negative consequences of such protocols in terms of cost-effectiveness.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

[Reference standards in the performance of a mammographic screening program. Results of the screening program in the province of Florence, 1992].

The authors report the results of the Florence District program for the year 1992. 11,033 subjects were examined. Attendance rate (64.4%) was significantly related to age (42-49 = 71.0%; 50-59 = 66.7%; 60-70 = 58.5%). Recall rate to diagnostic assessment was 2.09% (mammographic abnormalities = 199, subjective symptoms other than pain = 32) and was related to age (42-49 = 3.12%; 50-59 = 1.65%; 60-70 = 1.77%). According to the results of diagnostic assessment 53 surgical biopsies (0.48%) were recommended and performed. The biopsy rate was also related to age (42-49 = 0.2%; 50-59 = 0.4%; 60-70 = 0.7%). Forty-seven carcinomas were detected in 46 subjects (benign/malignant biopsy ratio = 0.13). Cancer detection rate was 0.42% and changed significantly with age (42-49 = 0.13; 50-59 = 0.36; 60-70 = 0.68%), as well as the observed/expected cancer ratio (42-49 = 0.89; 50-59 = 2.03; 60-70 = 2.98). Detected cancers were nonpalpable in 57% of cases. Pathologic staging was pTIS in 2 cases, pT1a in 5, pT1b in 17, pT1c in 17, pT2 in 5, and pT4b in one case. Six of 47 (12.8%) cancers involved axillary nodes. A preliminary estimate of screening cost yielded a total cost of Lit. 397,671,000 for the year 1992--i.e., Lit. 36,000 per examined subject and Lit. 8,461,000 per detected cancer. The results are compared with reference standards for the evaluation of screening performance provided by the national breast screening program in the United Kingdom.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

Histopathologic classification of breast cancer in Sweden and Italy: a comparison between two pathologists.

Two large series of breast cancers (BC), identified in the Pathology Departments of Malmö (Sweden) and Florence (Italy), were independently reviewed by two experienced pathologists, one from each department. Overall, comparison of diagnoses of 372 BCs according to a simplified WHO histologic classification system (in four combined categories) revealed agreement for 74% of the cases. Concordance, as measured by the kappa statistic, was relatively good (0.53 overall). Kappa values for specific categories were also acceptable, being highest for "invasive lobular" BC (0.63) and lowest for "other types" (0.45). The kappa value for "noninvasive" versus all other categories of invasive BC was 0.53. Some BCs were systematically classified as "noninvasive" by one pathologist and as "invasive ductal with a predominant intraductal component" by the other. Invasive lobular BCs were also diagnosed more frequently by one pathologist. These findings suggest that when planning geographical or temporal comparisons of distribution for BC histologic categories, standardization of classification and a centralized review may play an important role.

Aged↗
PubMed1991

Benign breast disease and breast cancer: a case-control study in a cohort in Italy.

Sixty-two cases of invasive breast cancer were identified in a large cohort of women previously treated for biopsy-proven benign breast disease (BBD) at the Breast Unit of CSPO, in Florence, along with a group of 315 controls, strictly matched by age and year of diagnosis. A pathologist reviewed and reclassified all the original BBD slides according to recently proposed criteria (no evidence of epithelial proliferation, epithelial proliferation without or with atypia). Information about potential confounding factors was collected during personal interviews. In comparison to the women with "non-proliferative" BBD, women classified as having "proliferative disease without atypia" showed a weak and non-significant increase in risk (OR 1.3; 95% CI: 0.5-3.5). In contrast, women with "atypical hyperplasia" were at very high risk of developing breast cancer (OR 13.0; 95% CI: 4.1-41.7). When planning mammography screening or other large-scale early-diagnosis programmes for breast cancer in the general female population, follow-up of high-risk subgroups of BBD patients should be considered.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

[Diagnostic errors in mammography. I. False negative results].

The authors evaluate 1455 consecutive breast cancers detected 1985-1987, undergoing mammography 6 months before diagnosis at the most. One hundred and seventy-eight cases reported as negative/benign were assumed as false negatives. Overall sensitivity was 88%, and was influenced by tumor stage (TIS = 80%, T1 = 83%, T2 = 91%, T3-4 = 95%) and patients' age (less than 40 = 76%, 40-49 = 78%, 50-59 = 91%, greater than 59 = 94%). Sensitivity varied also with readers' experience full- or part-time involved in reading mammograms (total cases = 92% vs 88%, T1 cases = 86% vs 74%). No correlations were evidenced between mammographic sensitivity and histologic type of cancer. Palpation and cytology allowed the correct identification of 98% of mammographic false negatives. One hundred and seventy-eight false negatives and 142 more cases showing evidence of a mammographic error more than 6 months before diagnosis were reviewed to assess the most common types of radiologic fault. A benign-like lesion was the most frequent finding (49.4%), whereas suspicious signs were infrequent at review (16.6%). Failure to encompass the lesion in the mammographic field or poor technique accounted for 3.8 or 1.3% of cases, respectively. 29% of false-negative subjects (mostly young or with a dense breast) showed no lesion even at review. This study confirms the good sensitivity of mammography but suggests a less confident diagnostic approach in younger women, stresses the need for other tests whenever a minimal doubt is present, and encourages the radiologist's full-time involvement in mammography and breast diagnosis to achieve greater experience and improve his diagnostic sensitivity.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

Causes of breast cancer misdiagnosis at physical examination.

2740 consecutive breast cancers undergoing physical examination were reviewed. Ninety-two subclinical cancers detected at mammography were excluded from further evaluation and the study focused on palpable false benign cancers. The sensitivity of physical examination varied according to T category (TIS = 0.48, T1 = 0.70, T2 = 0.90, T3 = 0.89, T4 = 0.93), age (20-29 = 0.77, 30-39 = 0.58, 40-49 = 0.75, 50-59 = 0.84, 60-69 = 0.90, greater than 69 = 0.94) and operator (range 0.69-0.89), a significant difference being recorded in favor of more expert operators. Multivariate analysis (Cox) showed that T category, patient's age and operator experience are independent determinants of sensitivity. This study confirms that physical examination is not very sensitive, particularly for small tumors and in younger women and should always be performed by expert operators.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

Early indicators of efficacy of breast cancer screening programmes. Results of the Florence District Programme.

A mammographic breast cancer screening programme has been ongoing in the Florence District (Italy) since 1970 and a favourable impact of screening on breast cancer mortality of women aged 50-70 has been shown by means of a case-control study. Two hundred and eleven screen- and 116 interval-detected cancers in the period 1975-1986 have been identified, and detection rates calculated, for first and repeated screening test (2nd to 7th). Overall, 22,980 subjects were screened and 44,988 repeated tests performed. The observed number of interval cancers has been compared with the expected incident cancers and their ratio (O/E) studied at different time intervals since last test. The O/E ratio at the third year since the last test was 0.98 for the age-group 40-49 0.50 (95% CI: 0.23-0.95) and 0.39 (95% CI: 0.26-0.94) for the 50-59 and 60-69 groups, respectively. The prevalence/incidence ratio (P/I) was then calculated as an early indicator of efficacy. For the 40-49 age-group the P/I ratio at first test was 1.09, suggesting poor anticipation of diagnosis. In contrast, for women 50-59 and 60-69 results suggest quite a good diagnosis anticipation (P/I: 3.14; 4.82), confirming the result of the previous case-control study on mortality reduction. The proportion of advanced carcinomas (stage II or worse) and 5-year survival have been analysed and discussed. The study confirms the opportunity of using early indicators of screening efficacy for monitoring of screening services.

Age Factors↗
PubMed1990

The role of mammography in women under 30.

The authors report on a consecutive series of 305 women under age 30 undergoing mammography because of a solid palpable mass. The presence of diffuse parenchymal density impairing radiologic interpretation was observed in 71% of cases. Cancer was not demonstrated at mammography in 5 of 18 cases. Radiologic suspicion did not improve the cumulative sensitivity for cancer and did not influence clinical management in cancer cases. Mammographic contribution in reducing unnecessary biopsies of benign lesions was also poor and parallelled that of aspiration cytology. Mammography is not recommended in the differential diagnosis of palpable masses in women under 30 and should be limited to the preoperative assessment of cases with a strong suspicion of cancer.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1990

Prognosis of nonpalpable infiltrating carcinoma of the breast.

A consecutive series of 185 instances of histologically confirmed nonpalpable infiltrating carcinoma of the breast is presented. Histologic nodal involvement was found in 12 per cent and was dependent on the size of the tumor. Conservative surgical treatment was the predominant method used during the study period. The ten year over-all survival was studied and compared with that of 4,217 instances of palpable carcinoma of the breast observed during the same period. The ten year survival rates were, by far, better for nonpalpable (94 per cent) than for palpable carcinomas (65 per cent). A better prognosis for nonpalpable carcinomas was confirmed also by multivariate analysis (Cox) with adjustment for potential confounders, such as age, stage or nodal involvement. The possible confounding effect of over diagnosis and length or lead time bias is discussed. Although this difference in survival might be partially explained by the aforementioned confounders, the chance of increasing life expectancy and conservative surgical treatment encourages preclinical detection of carcinoma of the breast.

Adult↗