RESULTS OF ILIAC CREST BIOPSIES TAKEN FROM 1465 PATIENTS WITH PRIMARYBREAST-CANCER

This study was performed to analyze the relevance of iliac crest biops y in patients with primary breast cancer with regard to metastases of the primary tumor and osteogenic disease. We performed intraoperative bilateral biopsy of the anterior iliac crests in 1465 patients with pr imary breast cancer, The bone specimens were histologically evaluated with regard to quality of the biopsy, tumor involvement, and osteogeni c and hematogenic disease. Accurate and clear evaluation of the iliac crest biopsies was possible in 1365 patients (93%). Osteopenia was dia gnosed in 48 patients (3.5%); 24 patients (1.7%) showed histological e vidence of tumor involvement of the skeletal system. All these 24 pati ents received systemic (adjuvant) therapy after surgery. Ten patients had micrometastases, although in 5 of them both the postoperative bone scan and X-rays showed no pathological results. In 10 women with hist ologically negative bone biopsies, metastases to the bone were diagnos ed by bone scan and radiological methods. Random perioperative iliac b one biopsy cannot be recommended in patients with primary breast cance r. Iliac crest biopsy is relevant in certain scenarios (e.g. suspected recurrence, doubtful bone scan).