title: Nonpalpable breast lesions: findings of stereotaxic needle-core biopsy and fine-needle aspiration cytology.
abstract: Two hundred fifty mammographically detected nonpalpable breast lesions suspicious for malignancy in women who underwent routine screening mammography were stereotaxically localized. Fine-needle-aspiration (FNA) cytologic specimens and needle-core biopsy specimens were obtained before open biopsy in every case. Seventy-six lesions (30.4%) were malignant. Sixty-three (83%) of these 76 cancers were 1 cm long or smaller. Needle-core biopsy alone was used to diagnose conclusively 41% (n = 31) of these cancers, while FNA cytologic study alone was used to diagnose 32% (n = 24). No false-positive results occurred with either test. The same diagnosis was reached in 54% (n = 41) when the combined results of both needle tests were considered. In applying the two needle tests to 125 mammographically defined low-suspicion lesions, 85 (68%) were found to be benign by means of either one or both needle tests; there was one lobular carcinoma in situ. By applying this algorithm, 85 (34%) of 250 patients with abnormal mammograms, or one-third of all patients recommended for open biopsy, might have avoided surgery.
authors.affiliation: Department of General Surgery, Rush-Presbyterian-St Luke's Medical Center, Chicago, IL 60612.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Dowlatshahi
authors.forename: M L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Yaremko
authors.forename: L F
authors.initials: LF
authors.lastname: Kluskens
authors.forename: P M
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Jokich
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001707:Biopsy, Needle / Q000379:methods*; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D003581:Cytodiagnosis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008327:Mammography; D008875:Middle Aged; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013238:Stereotaxic Techniques