Needle Localization Biopsy of 546 Nonpalpable Breast Lesions

ABSTRACT

A retrospective review of 546 consecutive female patients who had undergone mammographically controlled needle localizations was performed to assess the effectiveness of the technique and to analyze the number and the characteristics of the criteria malignancies found in this group. Localization biopsy was recommended if one or more of the following criteria were present evidence of a mass, microcalcifications, parenchymal distortion, and/or spiculation. Of those 546 patients who had undergone specimen mammography after needle localization biopsy, a lesion was detected on 544 cases and missed in 2 cases(0.3%). Fifty-five cancers were detected(10.1%) Histologically, the cancers included 23 invasive and 32 in-situ tumors. The predominant histologic cell type was ductal in origin with only three having lobular characteristics. Postoperative pathologic findings of the lymph nodes showed 3 of the 55 were positive for metastases. In summary, the technique of preoperative needle localization in this series had a 99.7% success rate. The cancer detection rates for a 'mass with a microcalcification', a 'microcalcification', and a 'mass' were 17.0, 14.0, and 5.1% respectively. As a conclusion, needle localization biopsy is a safe and effective method for definitely diagnosing nonpalpable breast lesions.