Use of Ultrasound-Guided Percutaneous Vacuum-Assisted Breast Biopsy for Selected Difficult Indications

Abstract:  To assess ultrasound-guided vacuum-assisted biopsy (US-VAB) for selected problem cases and to report experiences with two different biopsy systems. Fifty-one lesions have been biopsied using the Mammotome ( n  = 24) or the Vacora ( n  = 27) system. Main indications: lesion in scarring ( n  = 5), complex cystic ≥8 mm ( n  = 7), increase in size ( n  = 10), architectural distortion ( n  = 4), uncharacteristic palpable abnormality (2), small size ( n  = 22), regional microcalcifications ( n  = 1). Results are verified by surgical excision ( n  = 10) or follow-up ( n  = 40). One patient was lost to follow-up. In four of the cases preceding core biopsy was inconclusive. four invasive carcinomas, two ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS), three papillomas, six fibroadenomas, one adenosis tumor, one hamartoma, 10 complex cysts, 16 benign changes, three fat necroses, two granulomas, three unspecific inflammatory changes are verified. Surgery confirmed five malignancies, four benign changes, and converted one uncertain diagnosis (architectural distortion) from "inflammatory" to DCIS. Documented removal of all or most of the lesions correctly increased the level of confidence and open surgery could be avoided in 41/51 lesions. The two systems show different advantages and drawbacks. US-VAB may improve the level of confidence in selected difficult cases. Careful case selection and systematic retrospective correlation of imaging and histology remain crucial.     

乳腺X线摄影、局部数字化处理与立体核心活检对乳腺癌诊断的意义（附122例分析）

目的：评估立体核检在乳腺癌诊断中的意义。方法：1999年3月15日－2000年3月15日,我院外科门诊应用意大利Giotto乳腺诊断系统行高清晰乳腺X线摄影（HI－TECH mammography,HT-M)1888例,对其中符合：（1）临床Meng及乳腺肿块,性质不明：（2）X线片发现肿块;（3）X线片上有多形性、集簇性微小钙化灶;（4）双侧摄片出现局限不对称、高密度区或结构畸形等适应证者,进行数字化局部处理（digital spot image,DSI)与Bard 16G针立体核心活检（stereotactic core needle biopsy,SCNB)122例,占HT－M总数的6．46％。结果：诊断为乳腺癌（包括2例原位导管癌,1例早期导管浸润癌）59例,全部手术证实：良性病变（包括乳腺增生、纤维腺瘤、导管乳头状瘤、囊腺瘤等）63例,其中23例为手术证实,40例随诊中未发现癌变。在乳腺癌中,SCNB真阳性率为89．83％（53／59）,假阴性率为10．17％（6／59）;乳腺良性病变中SCNB无一例假阳性,故SCNB对乳腺良恶性病变的敏感性和特异性分别为89．83％和100％,全部122例SCNB者均无并发症发生。结论：为保证该项诊断技术的准确性,我们的初步经验是：（1）必须有一套包括高清晰成像、快速准确定位和活检的高质量;（2）由一个有高中级外科医师、外科护师（技师）与病理医师组成的专业小组,参与门诊临床检查→HT－M、DIS、SCNB→病理检查→手术→随1 全过程,不断提高操作的娴熟性、准确性,并在综合分析的基础上作出诊断;（3）自动弹射式Bard 16G针适用于大多数病人,但对X线片上的微小病灶采用负压切削式Mammotome针,能将SCNB正确率提高到95％－100％,想念通过克服传统旧观念,将HT－M、DIS与SCNB广泛用于医院门诊与高危人群的普查,能大大改善我国乳腺癌病人治疗的生存率与生活质量。     

Stereotactic Radioguided Surgery by SiteSelect for Subclinical Mammographic Lesions

Background We defined the indications for and evaluated the results of a new technique for radioguided surgery, the SiteSelect system. The procedure allows en-bloc resection of the breast parenchyma under local anesthesia.Methods This prospective study was based on 167 patients operated on between December 2000 and October 2003 with 2 phases. The first step was an evaluation of the feasibility of the procedure with the 15-mm cannula, and the second was therapeutic with the 22-mm cannula.Results The mean duration of the procedure was 42 minutes. In 96.9% of procedures, the lesion was excised successfully. Only one complication (hematoma) and two failures and were observed. Histological examination revealed benign disease in 65.8% of cases and cancer in 34.2% of cases. In the latter cases, the specimen margins were histologically involved in 86.2% of cases with the 15-mm procedure and in 41% with the 22-mm procedure. During the first evaluation, all patients with a cancer underwent systematic surgical re-excision: residual tumor was present in 18 cases (64.2%). The biopsy was painless for 88 patients, and the cosmetic result was good in all cases.Conclusions This study shows that the SiteSelect procedure allows resection of the lesion in 96.9% of cases. Combined with complementary surgical lumpectomy during the same operation, this procedure achieved a success rate of 98.7%. In the case of cancer, the 15-mm cannula is not wide enough to allow free margins. The use of a new 22-mm cannula, currently under evaluation, might solve this problem.(Brigitte Sigal-Zafrani) On behalf of the Institut Curie Breast Cancer Group (Appendix 1).     

Mammotome手术诊治乳腺不可触及病灶的研究

目的探讨乳腺不可触及病灶（nonpalpable breast lesion,NPBL）的性质及Mammotome（MMT）手术诊治的价值。方法2005年6月-2007年12月,B超诊断NPBL254例328处,176例行高频X线检查未见肿块影及钙化,行MMT手术及病理检查。结果328处NPBL中纤维腺瘤269处（82.0%）,囊肿34处（10.4%）,乳腺癌3处（0.9%）,乳管内乳头状瘤3处（0.9%）,腺病19处（5.8%）。本组良性251例（98.8%）,随访未发生复发及恶变。3例（1.2%）浸润性导管癌,行改良根治术,无肿瘤残余,低估率为0。251例良性单纯MMT,术后239例（95.2%）美容效果满意。结论超声引导下MMT活检可以有效、微创、快速地确诊NPBL,是“一步手术”诊治的最佳选择,可降低早期乳腺癌漏诊的风险,减少低估。     

EnCor真空辅助旋切系统在多发性乳腺肿物微创切除术中的应用

目的探讨超声引导下EnCor真空辅助旋切系统治疗乳腺多发性肿物（单侧乳腺肿物≥3个）的价值。方法2009年3月～2010年1月,对700例多发性乳腺肿物在超声引导下进行EnCor切除术（美国SenoRx公司EnCor旋切系统）,术中旋切刀刀槽位于肿物下方或侧方进行扇形或大角度旋切,切除组织收纳于标本收集盒中送冰冻病理检查。结果全部乳腺肿物均采用EnCor旋切,均使用1把旋切活检针成功完成单侧乳腺肿物切除。术后病理：纤维腺瘤319例,纤维囊性乳腺病241例,瘤样增生96例,导管内乳头状瘤44例。术后并发症：皮下瘀斑24例,血肿形成11例,乳头溢血1例。679例随访3～12个月,平均6个月,均未发现病灶残留、复发,且无切口瘢痕形成,乳房外形正常,皮肤触觉无异常。结论超声引导下EnCor旋切术可完整切除乳腺多发性病灶,具有微创、美容、操作简单、安全等优点。     

超声引导经皮穿刺活检诊断乳腺占位性病变的可行性及有效性分析

目的:探讨乳腺占位性病变诊断中超声引导经皮穿刺活检的可行性及有效性。方法:选取2017年1月—2018年11月我院收治的102例乳腺占位性病变患者,对患者进行超声引导经皮穿刺活检和超声活检诊断,并以病理诊断为参考依据。分析乳腺占位病变超声诊断价值和乳腺占位性病变超声经皮穿刺活检的诊断价值,比较超声活检诊断和乳腺占位性病变超声引导诊断价值。结果:超声诊断与病理诊断结果无明显差异(P>0.05),超声引导活检诊断与病理诊断结果无明显差异(P>0.05),超声活检诊断和乳腺占位性病变超声引导诊断在灵敏度、特异度、符合率、漏诊率和误诊率方面存在显著差别(P<0.05),超声引导经皮穿刺活检的诊断效能优于超声诊断。结论:对乳腺癌患者进行超声引导经皮穿刺活检,不仅诊断效果理想,而且大大降低了患者诊断过程的漏诊率和误诊率,提高了诊断准确度,降低了并发症的发生。     

Encor真空负压旋切系统在乳腺良性肿物切除术中的应用

目的探讨超声引导下Encor真空负压旋切系统对乳腺良性肿物切除术中的应用价值。方法 2010年7月～2011年7月采用超声定位引导,利用Encor真空负压旋切系统（美国强生公司Model CART01型）对119例391个乳腺良性肿物进行切除,术后加压包扎48 h。切除标本常规行快速石蜡病理检查。结果 117例389个乳腺良性肿物被完全切除,1例肿物少量残留,1例手术失败改传统开放性手术。术后病理诊断：乳腺纤维腺瘤276个,纤维腺瘤伴导管内乳头状瘤25个,乳腺导管扩张性症68个,导管内乳头状瘤14个,上皮非典型增生6个,乳腺腺病2个。术中大量出血（10～30 ml）6例,术后血肿3例,皮下瘀斑11例。119例术后随访3～15个月,平均8个月,血肿、瘀斑消失,乳房外形正常,1例残余肿瘤无明显变化,余118例未发现病灶残留、复发。结论应用超声引导Encor真空负压旋切系统切除乳腺良性肿物效果好,微创优势明显,操作简单、安全,对乳腺良性肿物可完全切除,值得推广。     

Efficiency of Core Biopsy for BI-RADS-5 Breast Lesions

Stereotactic biopsy has proven more cost effective for biopsy of lesions associated with moderately suspicious mammograms. Data regarding selection of stereotactic biopsy (CORE) instead of excisional biopsy (EB) as the first diagnostic procedure in patients with nonpalpable breast lesions and highest suspicion breast imaging-reporting and data system (BI-RADS)-5 mammograms are sparse. Records from a regional health system radiology database were screened for mammograms associated with image-guided biopsy. A total of 182 nonpalpable BI-RADS-5 lesions were sampled in 178 patients over 5 years, using CORE or EB. Initial surgical margins, number of surgeries, time from initial procedure to last related surgical procedure, and hospital and professional charges for related admissions were compared using chi-squared, t-test, and Wilcoxon Mann-Whitney tests. A total of 108 CORE and 74 EB were performed as the first diagnostic procedure. Invasive or in situ carcinoma was diagnosed in 156 (86%) of all biopsies, 95 in CORE and 61 in EB groups. Negative margins of the first surgical procedure were more frequent in CORE (n = 70, 74%) versus EB (n = 17, 28%), p < 0.05. Use of CORE was associated with fewer total surgical procedures per lesion (1.29 +/- 0.05 versus 1.8 +/- 0.05, p < 0.05). Time of initial diagnostic procedure to final treatment did not vary significantly according to group (27 +/- 2 days versus 22 +/- 2 days, CORE versus EB). Mean charges including the diagnostic procedure and all subsequent surgeries were not different between CORE and EB groups ($10,500 +/- 300 versus $11,500 +/- 500, p = 0.08). Use of CORE as the first procedure in patients with highly suspicious mammograms is associated with improved pathologic margins and need for fewer surgical procedures than EB, and should be considered the preferred initial diagnostic approach.     

超声引导空芯针穿刺活检诊断乳腺癌激素受体状态的价值

目的探讨超声引导空芯针穿刺活检(ultrasound-guided core needle biopsy,US-CNB)检测乳腺癌激素受体状态的准确性。方法回顾性分析2016年9月~2019年4月127例未经过新辅助治疗的131个乳腺癌病灶。US-CNB后7~46 d行乳腺癌手术。对比US-CNB和手术切除组织的病理结果,包括雌激素受体(estrogen receptor,ER)、孕激素受体(progesterone receptor,PR)。结果US-CNB均顺利完成。US-CNB标本中ER阳性、阴性病灶分别为121个(121/131,92.4%)和10个(10/131,7.6%),术后标本中分别为120个(120/131,91.6%)和11个(11/131,8.4%)(McNemar检验P=1.000),两者诊断一致率为99.2%(130/131)(κ=0.948,P=0.000)。US-CNB标本中PR阳性、阴性病灶分别为106个(80.9%,106/131)和25个(19.1%,25/131),术后标本中分别为106个(80.9%,106/131)和25个(19.1%,25/131)(McNemar检验P=1.000),两者诊断一致率为95.4%(125/131)(κ=0.852,P=0.000)。US-CNB与手术标本ER、PR表达性质均无统计学差异(McNemar检验P=1.000)。在表达比例方面,US-CNB与手术标本ER阳性细胞所占比例差异无统计学意义[中位数90%(70%~90%)vs.90%(80%~90%),Wilcoxon检验,Z=-1.804,P=0.071]。US-CNB与手术标本PR阳性细胞所占比例差异无统计学意义[中位数60%(5%~90%)vs.60%(5%~90%),Wilcoxon检验,Z=-0.592,P=0.554]。US-CNB与手术标本ER、PR表达强弱差异无统计学意义(Wilcoxon检验,Z=-0.786、P=0.432;Z=-1.792,P=0.073)。结论US-CNB可准确评价乳腺癌雌、孕激素受体表达状态,是术前评估乳腺癌激素受体表达的可靠方法。     

Diagnostic Utility of ABBI(R) (Advanced Breast Biopsy Instrumentation) for Nonpalpable Breast Lesions in Korea

Abstract: Introduction of mammography along with particular attention for the diagnosis and treatment of nonpalpable breast lesions has led to the development of nonresectional biopsies such as mammography-guided core needle biopsy, ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration cytology, and localization and excisional biopsy. The Advanced Breast Biopsy Instrumentation (ABBI®) system, a recently developed device, has made it possible to remove a lesion completely under local anesthesia, thus providing a more reliable and rapid evaluation on an outpatient basis. We studied 159 patients with nonpalpable breast lesions from December 1996 to August 1998. Fifty-nine patients received core needle biopsies and 100 patients received excision with the ABBI system. The ABBI system patients had postexcisional mammography and specimen radiographs to confirm complete excision of the lesions. Pathologists examined permanent section specimens. In cases of malignancy, total mastectomy or reexcision was performed to secure a tumor-free margin. We collected malignant lesions in 23 of 159 patients, of whom 17 had ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS). Postoperative histopathologic reports showed DCIS in 11 and infiltrating ductal carcinoma (IDC) in 2 among the 13 malignancies proven by stereotactic core biopsy. Among 10 malignancies proven by the ABBI system, there were 6 DCIS, 1 lobular carcinoma in situ (LCIS), and 3 IDC. In seven patients in whom mammography suggested malignancy but core biopsy showed benign lesion, localization and excisional biopsy confirmed DCIS in four of seven patients. The ABBI system is a more reliable and rapid method of evaluating breast lesions compared with stereotactic core biopsy. It is usually done under local anesthesia, minimizing the deformity of the breast. Therefore the ABBI system can be used as a preferred technique over conventional localization and excisional biopsy.     

Breast Papillomas in the Era of Percutaneous Needle Biopsy

Background The significance of breast papillomas detected on core needle biopsy (CNB) remains unclear. While those associated with malignancy or atypia are excised, no clear solution exists for benign papillomas. We sought to determine the indication for surgical excision, incidence of malignancy, significance, and natural history. Methods In this retrospective review, patients were divided into benign, atypical, or malignant cohorts based on initial results. While patients with malignant or atypical features were encouraged to undergo surgical excision, no standard recommendation was given for benign papillomas. Mammographic features, method of initial diagnosis, pathology results, and follow-up data were analyzed. Results Between January 1994 to December 2005, 5,257 CNBs were performed at our tertiary level medical center. 206 patients were diagnosed with 215 breast papillomas. 174 (81%) papillomas were benign, 26 (12%) were associated with atypia, and 15 (7%) were associated with malignancy. Two benign papillomas (1.1%) developed into cancer over an average of 53 months. Average follow-up of those patients not undergoing excision for benign papilloma was 41 months; we had 92 patients with greater than two year follow-up and 57 patients with greater than four year follow-up. Of patients with atypia or malignancy associated with papilloma, there was a 26% and 87% associated rate of malignancy, respectively. Conclusions Benign breast papillomas diagnosed by CNB have a low risk of malignancy and do not need excision. However, they should be considered high risk lesions which require serial radiographic monitoring. Papillomas associated with atypia or malignancy should continue to be excised.     

Imaging-Guided Core Needle Biopsy of the Breast: Study of Psychological Outcomes

The objective of this study was to evaluate and document pain and psychological distress related to imaging-guided core needle biopsy (CNB) of the breast. This prospective study of 52 consecutive patients undergoing CNB of the breast assessed anxiety, pain, acute stress disorder, and activities of daily living both preprocedure and at 24 hours, 5 days, and 30 days postprocedure. Survey instruments included the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), a visual analog pain scale, the SF-36 Physical Functioning Scale, and DSM IV criteria for acute stress disorder. Preprocedure the mean scores for self-reported levels of state and trait anxiety were 47.11 (SD = 13.53) and 37.71 (SD = 11.24), respectively. At 24 hours postprocedure, the mean score for self-reported state anxiety was 38.74 (SD = 17.77), a significant reduction from the preprocedure level reported by patients (p < 0.005). Further reductions in state anxiety levels were reported at 5 and 30 days postprocedure. The mean scores for state anxiety fell within the normal range at 30 days postprocedure (mean 32.75, SD = 10.97). However, at 5 days post-CNB, patients with confirmed malignancies reported significantly more anxiety than patients without malignancies (p = 0.002). This difference was not present at 30 days post-CNB (p = 0.17). Patients reported average pain scores of 2.0 (on a scale of 0-10) during the biopsy. This decreased to 1.3 at 24 hours, 0.3 at 5 days, and 0.2 at 30 days. Reported symptoms of acute stress related to the procedure significantly increased over the period between the 5-day interview and the 30-day interview. One (2%) patient reported avoidance of thoughts about CNB 5 days postprocedure and 5 (12%) patients reported this at 30 days postprocedure (p < 0.05). Patients undergoing CNB reported significant levels of state anxiety which were greatest at the time of biopsy. A significant decrease was observed at 24 hours postprocedure, despite the fact that biopsy results were not available to the patients. Self-reported levels of anxiety for the group, regardless of biopsy results, fell within the normal range by 30 days. Further research and interventions are recommended to address the management of anxiety for patients undergoing CNB.     

Multicentric Secretory Carcinoma of the Breast in a 35-Year-Old Woman: Mammographic Appearance and the Use of Core Biopsy in Preoperative Management

Abstract: Core biopsy of the breast has been increasingly utilized as a first-line diagnostic approach for mammographic breast lesions, palpable breast lesions, or both. Core biopsy has been shown to be cost-effective in sparing a significant fraction of women an open surgical procedure and, in conjunction with radiologic imaging studies, can allow for planning of definitive therapy in women with malignant lesions ( 1 - 4 ). We present a case of multicentric secretory carcinoma of the breast in which the diagnosis was suggested by core biopsy. This case represents the first reported instance of core biopsy in secretory carcinoma, one of the rarest types of mammary carcinoma. We describe the mammographic appearance of the lesion, the appearance of the tissue core, and the use of core biopsy in the proper preoperative management of this rare, multicentric lesion.     

Preoperative Profiling of Symptomatic Breast Cancer by Diagnostic Core Biopsy

Background Precise preoperative profiling of breast tumors could facilitate fuller consideration of (neo)adjuvant therapies. Methods Diagnostic core biopsy (DCB) accuracy in profiling the primary tumor was prospectively studied in 95 patients with operable breast cancer. The histological type and grade (hematoxylin and eosin staining) and membrane receptor status (semiquantitative immunohistochemistry for estrogen [ER] and progesterone [PR] receptors, as well as Her-2 antigen expression) were assigned by the DCB before surgery. These measures were then compared with those of the definitive surgical specimen available after operation. Results DCB correctly ascribed tumor type and grade and ER, PR, and Her-2 receptor status in most cases (correlating exactly in 97.5%, 77%, 68%, 71%, and 60%, respectively) with at least moderate concordance (weighted κ, >.41). When miscategorized, DCB consistently tended to upscore the receptor stain intensity compared with the surgical specimen (22%, 19%, and 27% had higher ER, PR, and Her-2 categorical scores, respectively). ER H-scores correlated best in specimens that stained strongly (224.4 ± 3 vs. 215.5 ± 5) and were significantly higher on DCB in those that stained either moderately (195.6 ± 8.2 vs. 156.8 ± 5.1; P < .0001) or weakly (157.1 ± 24.8 vs. 81.4 ± 4; P = .02). DCB accurately identified all tumors with clinically important ER and Her-2 expression. Furthermore, it promoted three patients into the therapeutically significant range of ER (n = 1) or Her-2 (n = 2) expression. ER negativity on DCB (n = 25) indicated a high-grade tumor (88%), although 11 (44%) patients also overexpressed Her-2. Significant Her-2 expression (n = 16) on DCB predicted the tumor as being poorly differentiated (80%) and both ER and PR negative (67%). Conclusions DCB accurately profiles clinically relevant measures of primary tumor cell differentiation. It also reliably categorizes patients with regard to (neo)adjuvant therapy before radical surgery is attempted.     

Large-Gauge Core Needle Biopsy of the Breast

Abstract: Large-gauge core needle biopsy (LGCNB) of the breast is gaining acceptance as a viable alternative to surgical excision. The procedure can be performed efficiently using ultrasound or stereotactic guidance. We report our experience with 137 LGCNB performed over a 40-month period. One hundred thirty-seven lesions in 125 patients were subjected to LGCNB. Fifty-nine procedures were performed using stereotactic guidance and 78 using ultrasound guidance. Stereotactic procedures utilized a prone table and ultrasound procedures used a freehand technique. All biopsies were performed with a 14-gauge core needle attached to an automated biopsy device. There were 53 malignant and 84 benign diagnoses in this group of 137 LGCNB. Surgical correlation is available in 46 of the 53 malignant cases. There were no false positives, though one lesion was missed at the initial surgical excision but retrieved at reexcision. Of the 84 benign cases, there has been surgical (n = 10) or mammographic follow-up (n = 32) in 42. The mean duration of mammographic follow-up is 13 months (range: 5–36 months). There was one false negative LGCNB. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value in this series are 98%, 100%, 100% and 96%, respectively. LGCNB has a high degree of accuracy and is well accepted by patients. There are some persistent difficulties with the technique, such as ensuring compliance with follow-up recommendations among patients with benign results and excluding invasive carcinoma.?     

触诊阴性乳腺病灶定位切除的适应证选择及预后

目的探讨触诊阴性乳腺病灶定位切除的适应证选择及预后。方法回顾性分析我院1998年3月~2007年12月190例女性209个经金属线定位切除的临床触诊阴性乳腺病灶的临床资料,在未知病理诊断的情况下复阅乳腺钼靶片,根据BI-RADS第四版标准分类,计算各类病灶的阳性预测值,并对归并后的良、恶性倾向组的阳性预测值行χ2检验。结果190例共接受209个触诊阴性乳腺病灶的定位切除,54例55个病灶为恶性,阳性预测值为26.3%(55/209),BI-RADS2、3、4和5类病灶的阳性预测值分别为0%(0/21)、5.3%(4/76)、27.0%(20/74)和81.6%(31/38),恶性倾向组的阳性预测值45.5%(51/112)显著高于良性倾向组的4.1%(4/97)(χ2=45.973,P=0.000)。190例中位随访时间59个月(1~118个月)。55个恶性病灶中,0期和Ⅰ期乳腺癌共45个(81.8%),除1例Ⅲ期患者术后出现对侧淋巴结转移外,其余患者无病生存。结论对于BI-RADS4类和5类病灶应积极行定位切除活检,而BI-RADS2类和3类病灶则以定期随诊为主。经定位切除确诊的临床触诊阴性乳腺癌绝大部分为...     

Papillary Lesions of the Breast: Outcomes of 156 Patients Managed without Excisional Biopsy

Papillomas of the breast are benign epithelial neoplasms. Because of the low, but continued potential for malignancy, the treatment options after initial diagnosis remain controversial. The aim of this study was to analyze the clinical course of patients with papilloma who were managed by active surveillance following initial diagnosis by core needle biopsy or vacuum‐assisted biopsy. This retrospective study analyzed 174 patients with 180 papillomas that were diagnosed by core needle biopsy (113 cases) or vacuum‐assisted biopsy (67 cases) at the Breast Center Seefeld Zurich between February 2002 and May 2011. We excluded 24 cases that underwent excisional biopsy for removal of the lesion. Over a mean follow‐up of 3.5 years, 13 further events occurred in 156 cases (8%). These events included two cases of ductal carcinoma in situ (one after 4 and one after 6 years), one case of atypical ductal hyperplasia, one radial scar, eight cases of papilloma, and one case of flat epithelial atypia. No invasive carcinomas occurred during the follow‐up period. Conservative management of 156 papillary lesions with removal by vacuum‐assisted biopsy and surveillance was not associated with invasive cancer over a median follow‐up of 3.5 years. Therefore, this approach seems to be a safe option for the clinical management of papillary lesions.