Stereotactic Vacuum-Assisted Core Biopsy Results for Non-Palpable Breast Lesions

Abstract

Background: The increase in breast cancer awareness and widespread use of mammographic screening has led to an increased detection of (non-palpable) breast cancers that cannot be discovered through physical examination. One of the methods used in the diagnosis of these cancers is vacuum-assisted core biopsy, which prevents a considerable number of patients from undergoing surgical procedures. The aim of this study was to present the results of stereotactic vacuum-assisted core biopsy for suspicious breast lesions. Materials and Methods: Files were retrospectively scanned and data on demographic, radiological and pathological findings were recorded for patients who underwent stereotactic vacuum-assisted core biopsy due to suspicious mammographic findings at the Interventional Radiology Centre of the Florence Nightingale Hospital between January 2010, and April 2013. Statistical analysis was carried out using Pearson's Chi-square, continuity correction, and Fisher's exact tests. Results: The mean age of the patients was 47 years (range: 36-70). Biopsies were performed due to BIRADS 3 lesions in 8 patients, BIRADS 4 lesions in 77 patients, and BIRADS 5 lesions in 3 patients. Mammography elucidated clusters of microcalcifications in 73 patients (83%) and focal lesions (asymmetrical density, distortion) in 15 patients (17%). In terms of complications, 1 patient had a hematoma, and 2 patients had ecchymoses (3/88; 3.3%). The histopathologic results revealed benign lesions in 63 patients (71.6%) and malignant lesions in 25 patients (28.4%). The mean duration of the procedure was 37 minutes (range: 18-55).Although all of the BIRADS 3 lesions were benign, 22 (28.6%) of the BIRADS 4 lesions and all of the BIRADS 5 lesions were malignant. Among the malignant cases, 80% were in situ, and 20% were invasive carcinomas. These patients underwent surgery. Conclusions: In cases where non-palpable breast lesions are considered to be suspicious in mammography scans, the vacuum-assisted core biopsy method provides an accurate histopathologic diagnosis thus preventing a significant number of patients undergoing unnecessary surgical procedures.

Comparison between Radiological and Invasive Diagnostic Modalities in Diagnosis of Breast Cancer

“…Whereas the same ratios for the core biopsy have been obtained as 97% and 94% respectively (Pisano et al, 1998;Leifland et al, 2003;Willems et al, 2012). This suggests the higher efficiency of core biopsy in the diagnosis of non-palpable lesions in the aspect of higher sensitivity and specificity (Agacayak et al, 2014).…”

Image-guided vacuum-assisted breast biopsy in the diagnosis of breast microcalcifications

“…According to previous reports, the incidence of ecchymosis is 2.2%, and the incidence of hematoma ranges from 0.8% to 1.1%. 20,21 The incidence of infection is extremely low (0.0%–0.1%). 21,22 In the present study, no patients had infections.…”

“…20,21 The incidence of infection is extremely low (0.0%–0.1%). 21,22 In the present study, no patients had infections. Ten patients had various degrees of bleeding; one had bleeding from the puncture site and nine had 2- to 4-cm subcutaneous ecchymoses.…”

Hastanemizde Nonpalpabl Meme Lezyonlu Bir Hasta Serisinde Stereotaktik Biyopsi Sonuçları

“…At the time of diagnosis, these lesions have good prognosis, as in malignancies detected with screening. However, it is important to use the diagnostic criteria appropriately for the identification of lesions in this category and for the evaluation of their stability (23). Some studies dealing with the pathological results of cases which were categorized as BI-RADS 3 but had a cancer diagnosis showed that short delays in the diagnosis of lesions in this group had negligible effects on the prognosis (24).…”