To excise or to sample the mammographic target: what is the goal of stereotactic 11-gauge vacuum-assisted breast biopsy?
OBJECTIVE
This study was undertaken to determine whether complete percutaneous excision rather than sampling of the mammographic target conveys any significant advantage or disadvantage at stereotactic 11-gauge vacuum-assisted biopsy.


METHODS
A retrospective review was performed of 788 consecutive solitary lesions in which the mammographic target was excised (n = 466) or sampled (n = 322) at stereotactic 11-gauge vacuum-assisted biopsy. Medical records and histologic findings were reviewed to determine the frequency of sparing surgery, discordance, histologic underestimation, rebiopsy, complete histologic removal of cancer, and complications. Statistical comparisons were made using the Fisher's exact test.


RESULTS
Complete excision rather than sampling of the mammographic target was associated with a significantly lower frequency of discordance (1/466, 0.2% vs 8/322, 2.5%; p = 0.004) and a trend toward fewer ductal carcinoma in situ underestimates (4/59, 6.8% vs 12/60, 20.0%; p = 0.07). Complete histologic removal of cancer was significantly more likely if the mammographic target was excised rather than sampled (19/91, 20.9% vs 7/106, 6.6%; p = 0.006); however, among 91 cancers in which the mammographic target was excised, surgery revealed residual cancer in 72 (79.1%). Complete excision rather than sampling of the mammographic target yielded no significant differences in the frequency of sparing surgery, atypical ductal hyperplasia underestimates, rebiopsy, or complications.


CONCLUSIONS
Complete excision rather than sampling of the mammographic target was associated with lower frequencies of discordance and ductal carcinoma in situ underestimation but had no other advantage or disadvantage. Among cancers in which the mammographic target was excised, surgery revealed residual cancer in almost 80%.
Liberman
Laura
L
Department of Radiology, Breast Imaging Section, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, 1275 York Ave., New York, NY 10021, USA.
Kaplan
Jennifer B
JB
Morris
Elizabeth A
EA
Abramson
Andrea F
AF
Menell
Jennifer H
JH
Dershaw
D David
DD
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001707:Biopsy, Needle; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery*; D002285:Carcinoma, Intraductal, Noninfiltrating / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006965:Hyperplasia / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D008327:Mammography; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013238:Stereotaxic Techniques; D014618:Vacuum