Stereotactic core needle biopsy of mammographic breast lesions as a viable alternative to surgical biopsy

Background: Stereotactic needle biopsy technique has received considerable attention as a possible alternative to surgical biopsy of nonpalpable breast lesions. The exact role of this procedure in the management of mammographic breast lesions has not yet been accurately defined. Methods: Data have been collected prospectively on 416 patients over an 8-month period (January 1992 through August 1992). Of 416, 356 patients underwent only stereotactic breast biopsy with a 14-gauge needle. Sixty patients underwent stereotactic breast biopsy followed by surgical biopsy. Based on mammographic findings before biopsy, lesions were classified as benign (24%), likely benign (49%), malignant (2%), likely malignant (6%), and indeterminate (19%). The number of core biopsy specimens obtained from each patient ranged from one to six. Results: The specimen was considered adequate in 98% of cases. Complications were minimal. The tissue diagnosis was benign in 92% and malignant in 8% of patients. In those patients undergoing surgical and stereotactic biopsy, 57 of 60 had matching histopathological results, representing an agreement rate of 95% (p<0.001). The three patients whose histopathological results did not match had malignant diagnoses on stereotactic biopsy that were subsequently not identified in the modified radical mastectomy specimen because the entire focus of malignancy was removed by the several passes made by the core needle during biopsy. No patient had a negative stereotactic biopsy result in whom malignancy was later detected by surgical biopsy. Conclusions: This study indicates excellent agreement between surgical and stereotactic needle biopsy findings. Stereotactic biopsy with a 14-gauge needle could obviate the need for surgical biopsy in certain women with radiologically benign, likely benign, and indeterminate lesions. The results of this study were presented at the 46th Annual Cancer Symposium of The Society of Surgical Oncology, Los Angeles, California, March 18–21, 1993.     

超声影像引导的乳腺病灶经皮穿刺组织病理学检查的临床应用

目的评价超声影像引导的乳腺病变经皮空芯针穿刺（CNB）组织病理检查方法的准确性及其影响因素。方法回顾性分析2000年1月至2006年5月收治的2152例乳腺病变患者经皮CNB组织病理检查结果及临床资料。比较穿刺与切除组织病理诊断之间的一致性,并对未进行切除活检的患者进行随访。结果在最终诊断为乳腺癌的1461例患者中,CNB病理结果显示,乳腺癌1339例,假阴性率为3．5％（51／1461）,低估率为4．9％（71／1461）。50．0％（17／34）的导管上皮非典型增生和46．3％（25／54）的乳头状病变在重新活检中诊断为癌。B超引导CNB的假阴性率（2．1％,22／1068）显著低于徒手引导CNB（7．4％,29／393）（P〈0、05）。两名专责医师CNB的假阴性率（1．2％,8／681）显著低于非专责医师（5．5％,43／780）（P〈0、05）。738例经CNB诊断良性病变中,417例进行手术切除活检,50例诊断为乳腺癌,205例良性病变随访2—29个月（中位随访时间10、2个月）,发现1例恶性病变。结论超声影像引导的乳腺病灶经皮病灶穿刺组织病理检查是准确可靠的诊断方法。对于穿刺病理结果为高危病变者应予切除活检。     

乳腺不典型病灶超声引导下粗针活检的价值

目的评价超声引导下粗针活检术（US-CNB）对不典型乳腺病变的诊断意义。方法对女性患者的61个不典型病灶行US-CNB和手术切除活检,以切除活检病理结果为诊断标准。结果在US-CNB标本中,33个为良性,15个为可疑恶性,10个为恶性,3处取材不当。在手术切除标本中,26个病灶为恶性,32个为良性,US-CNB取材不当的3个均为良性。超声引导下粗针活检术诊断恶性肿瘤的诊断阳性率为96.15%（25/26）,特异性为100%（32/32）,正确率为98.28%（57/58）。结论US-CNB诊断不典型病灶安全、创伤小、准确率高。     

The role of needle biopsy in the diagnosis of breast lesions

14G core biopsy has contributed enormously to the pre-operative diagnosis of breast malignancy, although it is still subject to certain shortcomings. It is important to review core biopsy results in a multidisciplinary environment, especially when dealing with benign results, to minimize the potential for false negative cases. In certain circumstances, FNAC (fine needle aspiration cytology) still has an important part to play although this is very much dependent upon local circumstances. Decisions about the relative values of FNAC and core biopsy should be taken by the multi-disciplinary breast team within the context of its own results and practice, but should the use of FNAC be continued, the maintenance of the relevant expertise is of major importance. Vacuum assisted breast biopsy instruments should further increase the rate of preoperative diagnosis of impalpable lesions considered suspicious on mammography.     

Relation between clinical and mammographic diagnosis of breast problems and the cancer/biopsy rate

Objective

To determine the sensitivity of mammographic and clinical assessment of breast problems, independent of one another, on the ratio of cancers found to biopsies performed (cancer/biopsy rate).

Design

A review of diagnoses from prospectively recorded and independently assessed clinical and mammographic examinations.

Setting

The breast clinic in a university-affiliated hospital.

Patients

Patients were considered in two age groups — under 50 years and 50 years and over; 1251 patients underwent breast biopsy between September 1976 and November 1994 after clinical assessment and mammography.

Main Outcome Measure

The cancer diagnosis rate found on biopsy as a result of clinical and mammographic findings.

Results

In both age groups, mammography was significantly (p < 0.001) more sensitive than clinical assessment in cancer diagnosis but gave a significantly (p < 0.0001) higher rate of false-positive results. The cancer diagnosis rate was highest when lesions were assessed both clinically and mammographically as malignant but was of diagnostic benefit only to women in the under-50-year age group. The cancer rate was 12% when both assessments indicated a benign process and only 2% in women under age 50 years with clinically benign conditions who did not have mammography. Twenty-one percent of the biopsies were obtained in women with clinically normal breasts because of a mammographic abnormality and 17% of all the cancers found were clinically occult.

Conclusions

The sensitivity of clinical assessment, particularly in premenopausal women is low and the false-positive mammography rate is high, but the cancer/biopsy rate is sufficiently high to warrant breast biopsy if either diagnostic modality suggests a cancer. When neither modality suggests cancer, the cancer/biopsy rate is 12% in both age groups.     

Value of stereotaxic biopsy in diagnosis of subclinical breast lesions

ALTERNATIVE TO SURGERY: New stereotactic guided breast biopsy procedures may constitute a major issue for the diagnosis of non-palpable breast lesions detected at mammography by eliminating the need for surgery in many women with benign breast disease. INDICATIONS: Vacuum-assisted core biopsies provide more complete sampling than the conventional 14-gauge stereo-tactic core biopsies, reducing the number of unsatisfactory biopsies. The more invasive advanced breast biopsy device obtains an intact lesion in its entirety for histological assessment. Currently, there is no definite strategy delineating the precise indications for the diagnosis of screening detected abnormalities. PERSPECTIVES: Because of the increase of the diagnostic armamentarium, care of women with non-palpable breast lesions should be multidisciplinary, involving radiologist, surgeons and histologists and rigorous medical and economic evaluation of diagnostic strategies involving these new health technologies should be pursued.     

Early experience with needle localization and biopsy of mammographic lesions

Increasing awareness of the value of mammography by both physicians and the public has resulted in women presenting more commonly with impalpable breast lesions. This study reviews the radiology and pathology of 58 such lesions biopsied by the Monash Medical Centre Breast Unit between August 1987 and October 1988. Abnormal mammograms were reported by one of two independent radiologists in the normal course of practice and placed into one of five categories according to the radiological appearance. Those lesions scoring greater than or equal to 3 were then needle localized, excised and examined histologically. All mammograms were later reported as unknowns by the other radiologist and similarly scored. Sixteen (28%) of these lesions were invasive or in situ carcinoma and of these a significant number were scored differently by the two radiologists. The results indicate that needle localization biopsy of suspicious mammographic lesions is a safe, accurate method for the diagnosis of early breast cancer. The results also show significant variation between radiologists and demonstrate the need for double reading of screening mammographic films. It is suggested that doubtful lesions require more extensive work-up with compression/magnification and other special views, the aim being more accurate radiological assessment and a reduction in the benign biopsy rate.     

Needle-guided breast biopsy for mammographic abnormalities in 561 patients

Between 1977 and 1983, 561 consecutive patients underwent 595 surgical biopsies for suspicious mammographic lesions with negative clinical correlation. The procedure consisted of preoperative needle localization, with or without immediate radiologic examination of the biopsy specimen, depending on the presence or absence of microcalcifications in the mammographic lesion. Eighty-four carcinomas were found. Of these, 60 (71%) were infiltrating carcinoma and 24 (29%) were noninvasive carcinoma. The carcinoma yield was 24.2% in the patients with lesions involving foci of microcalcifications and 9% in those lesions without calcifications. Surgical treatment of infiltrating carcinoma consisted of 39 modified radical mastectomies, 10 (25.6%) of which were associated with positive nodes, 16 partial mastectomies with axillary dissection, 3 (18.7%) of which were associated with positive nodes, and 5 wedge resections. Treatment of noninvasive carcinoma consisted of 19 partial mastectomies with axillary dissection and 5 modified radical mastectomies. None of these were associated with positive nodes. Modified radical mastectomy was used with decreasing frequency. Of the 10 patients with infiltrating carcinoma and positive axillary nodes treated by modified radical mastectomy, 7 had one to three involved nodes and 3 had four or more; of those with positive nodes treated by partial mastectomy, 1 had one to three involved nodes and 2 had four or more. These results confirm the correlation between suspicious mammographic non-clinical lesions and breast carcinoma.     

Recent trends in the management of breast cancer. 2.Occult breast lesions: when and how to perform a biopsy for mammographic abnormalities.

In 1989 the Canadian Cancer Society recommended that women over 50 years of age should undergo mammography as a test for breast cancer in centres dedicated to such programs. This recommendation and others by American societies have increased the number of mammographies done for screening purposes. As a result many mammographic abnormalities are reported by radiologists, who recommend biopsy. The surgeon should review the films with the radiologist and ensure that the anomaly is real. Attention should be given to specific signs of cancer, such as spiculated lesions; however, nonspecific signs of cancer, such as microcalcifications, microlobulation and architectural distortion, should be evaluated carefully before biopsy is carried out. Stereotaxic fine-needle aspiration can decrease the number of surgical biopsies needed. The surgical biopsy should be a one-step, segmental mastectomy done for diagnosis and treatment. The specimen should be oriented, inked and x-rayed and a definitive diagnosis made on paraffin blocks. Frozen sections should not be made of microcalcifications.     

Impact of core-needle breast biopsy on the surgical management of mammographic abnormalities

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the accuracy of percutaneous, image-guided core-needle breast biopsy (CNBx) and to compare the surgical management of patients with breast cancer diagnosed by CNBx with patients diagnosed by surgical needle-localization biopsy (SNLBx). SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA: Percutaneous, image-guided CNBx is a less invasive alternative to SNLBx for the diagnosis of nonpalpable mammographic abnormalities. CNBx potentially spares patients with benign lesions from unnecessary surgery, although false-negative results can occur. For patients with malignant lesions, preoperative diagnosis by CNBx allows definitive treatment decisions to be made before surgery and may affect surgical outcomes. METHODS: Between 1992 and 1999, 939 patients with 1,042 mammographically detected lesions underwent biopsy by stereotactic CNBx or ultrasound-guided CNBx. Results were categorized pathologically as benign or malignant and, further, as invasive or noninvasive malignancies. Only biopsy results confirmed by excision or 1-year-minimum mammographic follow-up were included in the analysis. Patients with breast cancer diagnosed by CNBx were compared with a matched control group of patients with breast cancer diagnosed by SNLBx. RESULTS: Benign results were obtained in 802 lesions (77%), 520 of which were in patients with adequate follow-up. Ninety-five of the 520 evaluable lesions (18%) were subsequently excised because of atypical hyperplasia, mammographic-histologic discordance, or other clinical indications. There were 17 false-negative CNBx results in this group; 15 of these lesions were correctly diagnosed by excisional biopsy within 4 months of CNBx. In two patients (0.9%), delayed diagnoses of ductal carcinoma in situ were made at 15 and 19 months after CNBx. Malignant results were obtained in 240 lesions (23%), 220 of which were surgically excised from 202 patients at our institution. Two lesions diagnosed as ductal carcinoma in situ were reclassified as atypical ductal hyperplasia and considered false-positive results (0.4%). For malignant lesions, the sensitivity and specificity of CNBx for the detection of invasion were 89% and 96%, respectively. During the first surgical procedure, 115 of 199 patients (58%) diagnosed by CNBx underwent local excision; 194 of 199 patients (97%) evaluated by SNLBx underwent local excision. For patients whose initial surgery was local excision, those diagnosed before surgery by CNBx had larger excision specimens and were more likely to have negative surgical margins than were patients initially evaluated by SNLBx. Overall, patients diagnosed by CNBx required fewer surgical procedures for definitive treatment than did patients diagnosed by SNLBx. CONCLUSIONS: Diagnosis by CNBx spares most patients with benign mammographic abnormalities from unnecessary surgery. With the selective use of SNLBx to confirm discordant results, missed diagnoses are rare. When compared with SNLBx, preoperative diagnosis of breast cancer by CNBx facilitates wider initial margins of excision, fewer positive margins, and fewer surgical procedures to accomplish definitive treatment than diagnosis by SNLBx.     

A multimodality approach to the diagnosis of breast hamartomas with atypical mammographic appearance

Abstract: The ultrasonographic appearance of breast hamartomas (BHs) is described and its diagnostic utility is discussed in this study of 27 women with mammographic findings both typical and atypical of BH. The role of computed tomography (CT) in the diagnosis of BH of atypical mammographic appearance is also analyzed. These 27 cases of BH were detected in women submitted to mammographic screening. Ages ranged from 45 to 65 years (mean age 52.6 years). In all cases physical and ultrasonographic examinations were carried out. CT studies were carried out in seven cases. Core biopsy was performed in 18 cases of lesions with a mammographic appearance atypical of BH. Lesions were palpable in 9 cases and nonpalpable in 18. Mammographic appearance was characteristic in nine cases. In 19 cases a hypoechoic solid mass with hyperechoic lines and/or bands was seen. This ultrasonographic image is suspicious of BH. Finally, both CT and core biopsy findings were of great help in the diagnosis of BH in the cases where mammographic and ultrasonographic studies were inconclusive. We consider that a combination of mammography, ultrasonography, CT, and core biopsy is fundamental for the successful diagnosis of breast hamartomas not seen in typical form in mammograms.     

Percutaneous breast biopsy for nonpalpable lesions

Increasingly, biopsies for suspected breast abnormalities are conducted by percutaneous needle extraction of core samples rather than by standard surgical excision or fine-needle aspiration (FNA) of cellular material. Core-needle biopsies are highly accurate and have many advantages over surgical excisions, including reduction of the morbidity and cost of breast disease diagnosis. Limitations include differentiating atypical ductal hyperplasia from ductal carcinoma in situ. Equipment and technique for stereotactic and ultrasound-guided core breast biopsy are discussed. Appropriate indications for core-needle biopsy, excisional biopsy after needle localization, and FNA are provided. Appropriate management after core-needle biopsy includes the establishment of concordance of histologic results with the level of suspicion of the mammographic findings to prevent false-negative core biopsies. A recommendation for return to regular mammographic screening, short-interval (6-month) mammographic follow-up, or repeat core or surgical appearance depends on this correlation.     

Needle-localized breast biopsy for mammographic abnormalities: a community hospital experience

Increased awareness of benefits of early detection of breast cancer has resulted in increased numbers of screening mammographies and breast biopsies for nonpalpable lesions. Tertiary hospital studies have demonstrated positive biopsy rates from abnormal mammographic findings at 18 to 32 per cent. We examined the effectiveness of needle biopsy for nonpalpable radiographic abnormalities in our community hospital. We reviewed 167 records of patients biopsied over a 2-year period. Mammographic assessment, biopsy, and pathological assessment were performed using accepted methods. Malignancy was detected in 34 of 167 biopsies (20%). The biopsy yield rate was highest for mammographic findings of spiculated or stellate masses (75%, P < 0.01). Most biopsies (83%) were performed because of mammographic findings of microcalcifications or circumscribed enlarging masses/nodular developing densities for a positive biopsy yield rate of 16 per cent. Rates were higher in patients with personal (44%) or family history (30%) of breast cancer and in postmenopausal women (30%). These results demonstrate that 1) factors such as age, personal or family history of breast cancer, and certain mammographic features of breast lesions are associated with high biopsy yield rates, and 2) the biopsy yield rate in our community setting is comparable to tertiary hospital experience.     

Breast biopsy with needle localization: influence of age and mammographic feature on the rate of malignancy in 350 nonpalpable breast lesions

The purpose of this study was to determine the influence of mammographic feature and patient age on the rate of malignancy in nonpalpable breast lesions. During a 3-year period, 305 patients underwent biopsy after needle localization of 350 nonpalpable breast lesions. A total of 66 malignant breast tumors were found (biopsy yield rate, 19%): 23 carcinoma in situ, 43 infiltrating cancer. The biopsy yield rate in women younger than 50 years was 8% (12 of 153) and in women 50 years or older 27% (54 of 197; p less than 0.001). The biopsy yield rate varied with the mammographic feature in both groups of patients and was highest for spicular masses (61%), followed by strongly suspicious calcifications (29%). No cancers were found among well-defined masses or asymmetric densities. Other factors that were associated with high biopsy yield rate were personal or family history of breast cancer and diagnostic, rather than screening, mammography. The results suggest that the rate of malignancy in nonpalpable breast lesions is influenced by several factors, including age of patient and mammographic feature of the lesion. By taking all these factors into account, biopsies can possibly be performed more selectively thereby increasing the cost effectiveness of biopsy for occult breast cancer.     

Contribution of immunohistochemistry to the diagnosis of breast cancer in men

In men with advanced carcinoma of the prostate who have a breast tumour, it is often difficult to distinguish a primary from a secondary breast lesion. The authors describe the case of a 72-year-old man who presented with a poorly differentiated carcinoma in one breast after receiving estrogen therapy for disseminated prostatic cancer. Application of the unlabelled antibody peroxidase-antiperoxidase immunohistochemical method demonstrated prostate-specific antigen in the tumour cells, thus establishing the secondary origin of the lesion. Five controls--men with primary breast cancer--when tested by the same method did not have this marker. The authors conclude that in this clinical context, prostate-specific antigen is a useful marker of breast cancer in men.     

麦默通旋切系统在乳腺临床触诊阴性病灶活检中的应用

目的:探讨麦默通旋切系统在乳腺临床触诊阴性病灶活检中的应用及意义。方法:通过对我院73例乳腺X线摄影及彩超发现的临床触诊阴性乳腺病灶采用麦默通真空辅助旋切活检及BARD穿刺针活检,分析其病理结果。结果:43例麦默通活检病人及30例BARD穿刺活检病人,其活检成功率分别为100%及83.3%,病理符合率分别为100%及84.6%,两组比较有统计学差异(P<0.05)。早期癌比例麦默通组占16.3%,BARD穿刺针组为6.7%,但尚无统计学差异。结论:麦默通微创活检具有微创、安全的特点,诊断灵敏度及特异度更高,可作为临床触诊阴性乳腺病灶活检的首选方法。