Márgenes histológicos de los carcinomas de mama diagnosticados mediante biopsia con arpón

Objectives

We analyzed the characteristics of carcinomas that could influence margin status and the existence of residual tumor in reexcisons.

Material and methods

We retrospectively studied the characteristics of 133 breast carcinomas diagnosed by mammographic wire-guided biopsy.

Results

In 37.59% biopsy was the only surgery in the breast. A total of 31.6% of margins were clear (more than 3 mm.), 20.3% were close (equal to or less than 3 mm) and 48.1% showed tumoral involvement. The mean tumor size of carcinomas with clear margins was statistically smaller than those with involved margins. Histological grade was related to margin status in ductal carcinomas in situ (DCIS) and to higher positive reexcision rates (grades II and III) in infiltrating ductal carcinomas (IDC). The overall residual tumor rate was 50%, but this percentage was higher in reexcisions of infiltrating lobular carcinomas (ILC) (85.71%), DCIS (70.53%), and in carcinomas with axillary lymph node involvement. A second reexcision was required in 13.79% of DCIS.

Conclusions

Reexcision is recommended in patients with ILC, DCIS and IDC (especially histological grades II and III in both cases) in which margins of more than 3 mm have not been achieved, regardless other characteristics. Clear margins are sometimes difficult to obtain in DCIS.