An update on core needle biopsy for radiologically detected breast lesions

• Published in: Cancer 1996-12, Vol.78 (11), p.2340-2345
• Main Authors: Nguyen, Mai, McCombs, Marie M., Ghandehari, Sara, Kim, Andrea, Wang, Hejing, Barsky, Sanford H., Love, Susan, Bassett, Lawrence W.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Biological and medical sciences; Biopsy, Needle - methods; Breast - pathology; breast carcinoma; Breast Neoplasms - diagnostic imaging; Breast Neoplasms - pathology; cancer diagnosis; Carcinoma, Ductal, Breast - diagnostic imaging; Carcinoma, Ductal, Breast - pathology; core needle biopsy; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Gynecology. Andrology. Obstetrics; Humans; Hyperplasia - pathology; Mammary gland diseases; mammogram; Mammography; Medical sciences; Stereotaxic Techniques; Tumors
• ISSN: 0008-543X; 1097-0142
• DOI: 10.1002/(SICI)1097-0142(19961201)78:11<2340::AID-CNCR11>3.0.CO;2-0

BACKGROUND Traditionally, radiologically detected lesions of the breast have been evaluated by open surgical biopsy with wire localization. Recently, core needle biopsy has been introduced as an alternative to open surgical biopsy. The authors evaluated their own results with long term follow‐up after core needle biopsy and reviewed the experience of other physicians with this new technique. METHODS Four hundred thirty‐one core needle biopsies performed at UCLA were analyzed. The outcome of these cases was determined by either surgery or long term follow‐up. Statistical analysis was performed to determine the accuracy of the method. RESULTS Definitive outcome was obtained in 96% of the core needle biopsy cases, with a median follow‐up time of 18 months (range, 6‐38 months). The authors achieved a sensitivity of 99% and a specificity of 100%. The false‐negative rate was 1.7%. There were no complications in this series. CONCLUSIONS Core needle biopsy is a highly accurate and safe method for the diagnosis of radiologically detected lesions of the breast. Cancer 1996;78:2340‐5.