Surveillance mammography and stereotactic core breast biopsy for probably benign lesions: a cost comparison analysis.
OBJECTIVE
The authors compared the economic effect of stereotactic core needle biopsy (CNB) with that of short-term unilateral surveillance mammography in the management of probably benign breast lesions detected during routine screening mammography.


METHODS
Published data with regard to the cost of stereotactic CNB and unilateral mammography were applied to 3,184 patients who underwent surveillance mammography; including 161 patients who underwent biopsy. Costs of immediate tissue diagnosis were compared with costs of surveillance with use of ratios of published reimbursement scales to minimize geographic variations. Sensitivity analyses were applied to this ratio.


RESULTS
The cost of managing probably benign breast lesions with surveillance mammography was $3,307,575 less than if all lesions had been managed with CNB. The ratio of the cost of CNB to the cost of surveillance mammography was 8:1. This ratio is more sensitive to the frequency of use of CNB than to reimbursement schedules.


CONCLUSIONS
With similar false-negative rates, CNB is more costly than surveillance and has a negative effect in the management of probably benign breast lesions, unless interval change during surveillance prompts tissue diagnosis.
Brenner
R J
RJ
Eiaenberg Keafer Breast Center, John Wayne Cancer Institute, St Johns Hospital and Health Center, Santa Monica, CA 90404, USA.
Sickles
E A
EA
D001707:Biopsy, Needle / Q000191:economics* / Q000379:methods; D001940:Breast / Q000473:pathology*; D001941:Breast Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000191:economics*; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008327:Mammography / Q000191:economics*; D008875:Middle Aged; D013238:Stereotaxic Techniques