Nonpalpable, probably benign breast lesions in general practice: the role of follow-up mammography.

A nonpalpable, probably benign lesion is frequently detected on mammograms. The aim of this paper was to determine the role of follow-up mammography as an alternative to surgical biopsy of these lesions, in patients from a general practice population. In a prospective study we estimated the compliance rate of general practitioners and patients with the recommendations for mammographic follow-up of nonpalpable, probably benign lesions. Reasons for noncompliance, the value of a reminder and the probability of malignancy were determined.