RECURRENT CARCINOMA AFTER BREAST-CONSERVATION - DIAGNOSIS WITH STEREOTAXIC CORE BIOPSY

PURPOSE: To evaluate the utility of stereotaxic core biopsy (SCB) in d iagnosing recurrent carcinoma after breast-conserving therapy (BCT). M ATERIALS AND METHODS: Of 316 patients evaluated with SCB, 17 (5%) had nonpalpable lesions in breasts previously treated with BCT. Surgical c orrelation was obtained in 14 patients. SCBs were performed with digit al stereotaxic equipment, with patients prone. RESULTS: Carcinoma dete cted at SCB in 11 (79%) of 14 patients included infiltrating ductal ca rcinoma (IFDC) in five, ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) in five, and i nfiltrating lobular carcinoma (ILC) in one. Surgical histopathologic f indings agreed with core biopsy findings in 10 of these patients. In o ne patient with two SCB-proved foci of IFDC, one IFDC was identified a t mastectomy. In two (14%) patients, SCB revealed atypical ductal hype rplasia; however, DCIS was found at surgical biopsy. In one patient, t he SCB finding of fat necrosis was confirmed at surgical biopsy. CONCL USION: These data suggest that SCB may be useful in diagnosing recurre nt carcinoma in the conservatively treated breast.