MANAGEMENT OF NON-PALPABLE BREAST-LESIONS DETECTED MAMMOGRAPHICALLY

A total of 212 consecutive fine-wire localization breast biopsies in 2 02 patients were performed on impalpable mammographically suspicious l esions. Preoperative fine-needle aspiration cytology was performed on 159 lesions and was valuable in planning the extent of the fine-wire l ocalization biopsy. All 212 target lesions were accurately biopsied du ring the initial surgery. Overall, 134 lesions were malignant and 78 b enign (benign:malignant ratio 1:1.72), with fewer biopsies for benign lesions performed in screened patients (benign:malignant ratio 1:2.43) than in those with symptoms (ratio 1:1). Breast conservation was achi eved in 72 patients (80 per cent) with screen-detected in situ or inva sive carcinoma and in 19 of 37 presenting via a symptomatic clinic. In 160 of 202 patients (79 per cent) the initial fine-wire localization biopsy was diagnostic and therapeutic.