NONDIAGNOSTIC STEREOTAXIC CORE BREAST BIOPSY - RESULTS OF REBIOPSY

PURPOSE: To determine the clinical implication of recommendation for r epeat biopsy after large-core stereotaxic breast biopsy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Repeat biopsy was recommended in 56 (18%; mean age, 51.0 yea rs) of 314 consecutive women who underwent stereotaxic core biopsy. Bi opsy was performed by using a dedicated prone stereotaxic table and di gital imaging. When calcifications were present, specimen radiography was performed. Fifty of the 56 women underwent follow-up biopsy. RESUL TS: Repeat biopsy was recommended because of ductal atypia in 30 patie nts, discordant imaging and histopathologic results in 15, diagnoses f or which more tissue was required in 10, and radial scar in one. Twent y-two (39%) of the 56 had carcinoma. Carcinoma was detected in 15 wome n (50%) with ductal atypia and in seven women (47%) with discordant hi stopathologic and imaging findings. No other cancer was detected. CONC LUSION: Rebiopsy of those lesions for which results are nonconcordant or with a high incidence of coexistent malignancy is necessary for ste reotaxic core biopsy to be optimally effective. Among the 56 patients, 39% had malignancy.