The breast lesion excision system (BLES): a novel technique in the diagnostic and therapeutic management of small indeterminate breast lesions?
OBJECTIVE
To investigate whether the breast lesion excision system (BLES) could render formal surgery unnecessary in patients with small indeterminate breast lesions.


METHODS
Following review board ethical permission and the consent of each patient, we aimed to perform a complete excision biopsy, with a margin, of small indeterminate breast lesions that measure less than 1 cm. 76 patients with small BIRADS type 3 breast lesions underwent a BLES biopsy. Mean radiological lesion size was 7.1 mm (range 2-10 mm).


RESULTS
61 lesions had a final benign diagnosis, 6 of which underwent subsequent surgery although only 1 showing residual lesion. 15 lesions were malignant but with residual tumour at re-excision present in only 5 cases.


CONCLUSIONS
The BLES biopsy is an efficacious technique at excising small indeterminate breast lesions with a complete margin without the need for follow-up diagnostic surgery in the majority.
Department of Radiology, The Royal Marsden Hospital, Downs Road, Sutton, Surrey SM2 5PT, UK. steven.allen@rmh.nhs.net
Steven D
SD
Allen
Ashish
A
Nerurkar
Guidabaldo U Querci
GU
Della Rovere
D001706:Biopsy / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods*; D001707:Biopsy, Needle / Q000379:methods; D001940:Breast / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D001941:Breast Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery*; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery; D002921:Cicatrix / Q000517:prevention & control; D004867:Equipment Design; D005260:Female; D018226:Fibroadenoma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged
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