Compliance with recommended follow-up after fine-needle aspiration biopsy of nonpalpable breast lesions: a retrospective study.
OBJECTIVE
To determine compliance with recommendations for mammographic or surgical follow-up after fine-needle aspiration biopsy of non-palpable breast lesions.


METHODS
The authors reviewed the medical records of 419 patients in whom surgical or mammographic follow-up had been recommended after fine-needle aspiration biopsy. Mammographic, clinical, and follow-up findings were correlated with patient outcome. Of 466 lesions, 395 lesions in 359 patients (age range, 24-89 years; average age, 55 years) were nonpalpable and composed the study.


RESULTS
Excisional biopsy was recommended in 141 cases (35.7%) and close-interval mammographic surveillance in 165 (41.8%). Biopsy was performed in 122 (86.5%) of the 141 cases in which it was recommended. Of 165 cases in which follow-up mammography was recommended, 84 (50.9%) were resolved at the close of the study. In the remaining cases, women either did not return (n = 24), were followed up elsewhere or moved (n = 35), were lost to follow-up by their physicians (n = 17), or were lost to follow-up for other reasons (n = 5).


CONCLUSIONS
Noncompliance with follow-up recommendations is an important issue undermining the benefits of fine-needle aspiration biopsy. Difficulty in tracking patients hinders assessment of patient compliance.
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Department of Radiology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Calif, USA.
Ikeda
D M
DM
Birdwell
R L
RL
D001707:Biopsy, Needle / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D001940:Breast / Q000473:pathology*; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007258:Informed Consent; D008327:Mammography / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008875:Middle Aged; D010349:Patient Compliance; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors; D016312:Treatment Refusal / Q000706:statistics & numerical data