Abstract: | Outpatient needle biopsy of suspected breast cancers has been performed on 151 patients. Of 135 who were ultimately diagnosed as having a malignant tumor, 107 were correctly diagnosed on the initial needle biopsy, a success rate of 79%. The procedure is well tolerated by most patients and enables family support during a very stressful period. Furthermore, outpatient histopathologic confirmation of cancer allows adequate preoperative investigation and more efficient use of operating theater time. |