SUBMAMMARY APPROACH FOR THE EXCISION OF MAMMOGRAPHICALLY LOCALIZED LESIONS OF THE BREAST

Objective: To describe the results of a submammary incision for the re moval of impalpable, mammographically diagnosed lesions. Design: Open study. Setting: District hospital. Subjects: 8 patients with deep, imp alpable, mammographically suspicious lesions. Interventions: Excision biopsy by the submammary approach. Main outcome measures: Complete exc ision judged radiologically and histologically, and cosmetic result. R esults: All lesions were completely excised both radiologically and hi stologically. Three patients had ductal carcinoma in situ and five had benign microcalcification. Cosmetic results were excellent in all cas es. Conclusion: The incision gives excellent results after excision bi opsy of deep or peripheral lesions of the breast, but is contraindicat ed if invasive carcinoma is suspected.