Incidence of invasive versus non-invasive carcinoma in comparing palpable and non-palpable solid breast lesions.
A retrospective study was done of all patients with a suspicious mammographic breast lesion surgically biopsied in our institution within the last 5 years. Incidence of invasive versus non-invasive carcinoma and stage at presentation (according to TNM classification system) of palpable and non-palpable lesions were compared. We found a significant difference of non-invasive carcinoma in non-palpable and palpable cancers: 42.2% versus 4.3% (p < 0.001). Patients with a non-palpable invasive carcinoma presenting at stage I (i.e. pT1 with no axillary metastasis) rated significantly higher compared to those with palpable lesions 51.8% versus 9.4% (p < 0.001). The true positive biopsy rate is 30%. As low as 10% has been considered reasonable. We have a total of 56% carcinomas detected on all biopsies: 30% for non-palpable lesions and 66.8% for palpable lesions. A more aggressive approach towards screening and biopsy of breast lesions might increase early detection of carcinoma and so improve survival.
Koentges
B
B
Academic Hospital Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Oncologic Center, Belgium.
Van Eijkelenburg
P
P
Lamote
J
J
Ongena
K
K
Sacré
R
R
D001706:Biopsy; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D009361:Neoplasm Invasiveness; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011859:Radiography; D012189:Retrospective Studies