The manufacturer's perspective.

A review of the evidence for the efficacy of a commercially available computer-aided detection (CAD) system is presented. Retrospective studies point to a potential capability of detecting approximately 20% of cancers at least 1 year earlier than normally detected by single reading of mammograms. Several prospective studies have now been published showing an actual increase of detection from 1.7% to 18%. Suggestions are given for closing the gap between the potential and actual performance with CAD, including: improving the specificity of the CAD algorithm; improving the training of end users; presenting more or better information to the radiologist; and the possible need for decision support tools.