Results of needle localized breast biopsy in women under age 50.
BACKGROUND
The use of screening mammography in women aged 40 to 50 years is controversial because of a relative lack of data demonstrating survival benefit for this segment of the population.


METHODS
The charts of 809 consecutive women who underwent needle localized breast biopsy over a 6 1/2-year period were reviewed to determine the effect of age on the biopsy results. Patient ages ranged from 27 to 91 years (mean 56).


RESULTS
Two hundred nineteen (27%) of the 809 needle localized breast biopsies were malignant, with a mean tumor diameter of 1.46 cm. This procedure identified malignancy in 3 (5%) of 60 patients age 40, and in 32 (15%) of 207 patients aged 40 to 49 years. Malignancy was significantly more likely in patients 50 years of age or older and was found in 184 (34%) of the 542 (P<0.001). Overall, 33% of all patients undergoing the procedure were under age 50.


CONCLUSIONS
Without screening mammography, the diagnosis of breast cancer would have been delayed in 32 women aged 40 to 50, 15% of the total diagnosed with nonpalpable breast cancer in this study. We recommend the use of screening mammography in this age group.
Lein
B C
BC
Department of Surgery, Abington Memorial Hospital, Pennsylvania, USA.
Alex
W R
WR
Zebley
D M
DM
Pezzi
C M
CM
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001707:Biopsy, Needle; D001940:Breast / Q000473:pathology*; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008327:Mammography; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies