Evidence map›Paper›PMID 38051355›Full record

ReviewInsights into imaging2023

Clinicopathological and prognostic value of calcification morphology descriptors in ductal carcinoma in situ of the breast: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Merle M van Leeuwen, Shannon Doyle, Alexandra W van den Belt-Dusebout, Stevie van der Mierden, Claudette E Loo, Ritse M Mann, Jonas Teuwen, Jelle Wesseling

Abstract readReview
In one paragraph

Review in Insights into imaging, 2023. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 6 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
6citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

6 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Article
  2. Review
  3. bioRxiv : the preprint server for biology · 2025
    Article
  4. Review
  5. Case Report: Breast ductal carcinomaFrontiers in oncology · 2025
    Article
  6. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

8 authors.

Merle M van Leeuwen *Division of Molecular Pathology, Netherlands Cancer Institute - Antoni Van Leeuwenhoek, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
Shannon Doyle *Division of Radiation Oncology, Netherlands Cancer Institute - Antoni Van Leeuwenhoek, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
Alexandra W van den Belt-DuseboutDivision of Molecular Pathology, Netherlands Cancer Institute - Antoni Van Leeuwenhoek, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
Stevie van der MierdenScientific Information Services, Netherlands Cancer Institute - Antoni Van Leeuwenhoek, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
Claudette E LooDepartment of Radiology, Netherlands Cancer Institute - Antoni Van Leeuwenhoek, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
Ritse M MannDepartment of Radiology, Netherlands Cancer Institute - Antoni Van Leeuwenhoek, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
Jonas TeuwenDivision of Radiation Oncology, Netherlands Cancer Institute - Antoni Van Leeuwenhoek, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
Jelle WesselingDivision of Molecular Pathology, Netherlands Cancer Institute - Antoni Van Leeuwenhoek, Amsterdam, the Netherlands. j.wesseling@nki.nl.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-8940-2676

Funding

Dutch Research Council (ZonMw) 555004201
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundCalcifications on mammography can be indicative of breast cancer, but the prognostic value of their appearance remains unclear. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the association between mammographic calcification morphology descriptors (CMDs) and clinicopathological factors.

methodsA comprehensive literature search in Medline via Ovid, Embase.com, and Web of Science was conducted for articles published between 2000 and January 2022 that assessed the relationship between CMDs and clinicopathological factors, excluding case reports and review articles. The risk of bias and overall quality of evidence were evaluated using the QUIPS tool and GRADE. A random-effects model was used to synthesize the extracted data. This systematic review is reported according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA).

resultsAmong the 4715 articles reviewed, 29 met the inclusion criteria, reporting on 17 different clinicopathological factors in relation to CMDs. Heterogeneity between studies was present and the overall risk of bias was high, primarily due to small, inadequately described study populations. Meta-analysis demonstrated significant associations between fine linear calcifications and high-grade DCIS [pooled odds ratio (pOR), 4.92; 95% confidence interval (CI), 2.64-9.17], (comedo)necrosis (pOR, 3.46; 95% CI, 1.29-9.30), (micro)invasion (pOR, 1.53; 95% CI, 1.03-2.27), and a negative association with estrogen receptor positivity (pOR, 0.33; 95% CI, 0.12-0.89).

conclusionsCMDs detected on mammography have prognostic value, but there is a high level of bias and variability between current studies. In order for CMDs to achieve clinical utility, standardization in reporting of CMDs is necessary. CRITICAL RELEVANCE STATEMENT: Mammographic calcification morphology descriptors (CMDs) have prognostic value, but in order for CMDs to achieve clinical utility, standardization in reporting of CMDs is necessary. SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION: CRD42022341599 KEY POINTS: • Mammographic calcifications can be indicative of breast cancer. • The prognostic value of mammographic calcifications is still unclear. • Specific mammographic calcification morphologies are related to lesion aggressiveness. • Variability between studies necessitates standardization in calcification evaluation to achieve clinical utility.

Indexed as

Calcification morphology descriptorsDuctal carcinoma in situImaging biomarkerMammography

Identifiers

PMID38051355
PMCPMC10697924

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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.