CANCELED STEREOTAXIC CORE-NEEDLE BIOPSY OF THE BREAST - ANALYSIS OF 89 CASES

PURPOSE: To determine reasons for cancellation of stereotactic core-ne edle breast biopsy and outcome in canceled cases. MATERIALS AND METHOD S: Among 572 scheduled stereotactic core-needle biopsies, 89 cases (16 %) in 88 patients were canceled. In canceled cases, mammogram origin, mammographic abnormality, reason for cancellation, and outcome were de termined. RESULTS: In canceled cases, 50 (57%) of 88 patients were ref erred from another facility. Mammographic abnormality in most cases (7 2 [81%] of 89 canceled biopsies) was a mass(es); calcifications occurr ed in 14 cases (16%). Reasons for cancellation included (a) lesion was not recognized (26 cases [29%]), (b) lesion was reassessed as benign (17 cases [19%]), (c) cysts were diagnosed with ultrasound (US) (12 ca ses [13%]) or aspiration (11 cases [12%]), (d) lesion location was sub optimal (12 cases [13%]), (e) patient was intolerant of procedure (sev en cases [8%]), and (f) other (four cases [4%]). Numbers of canceled b iopsies from another facility and those from the authors' institution differed in cases in which lesions were reassessed as benign (12 and f ive cases, respectively) or cysts were diagnosed with US (10 and two c ases, respectively). Lesions that could not be targeted included many pseudolesions and three cancers. CONCLUSION: Complete work-up, includi ng US examination, of breast lesions is necessary before stereotactic core-needle biopsy is scheduled. Inability to recognize a suspected le sion on stereotactic images should not preclude biopsy with another me thod.