USE OF TOUCH PREPS FOR DIAGNOSIS AND EVALUATION OF SURGICAL MARGINS IN BREAST-CANCER

Background: The best cosmetic results with conservative boast surgery are obtained at the time of initial excisional biopsy. The usefulness of the touch prep (TP) technique was evaluated for accuracy in diagnos is as well as in evaluation of margins at the time of original breast biopsy. Methods: Four hundred twenty-eight consecutive patients with b reast masses seen from January 1993 to December 1994 were evaluated pr ospectively using TP. Results: Three hundred forty-five benign and 83 malignant tumors were evaluated. Tumors ranged in size from microscopi c to 8 cm. Pathologic diagnosis was correct as compared to permanent s ection in 99.3%. The three carcinomas missed on TP were focal and in s itu. Sensitivity was 96.39%, and specificity was 100%. Positive predic tive value was 100%, and negative predictive value was 99.3% For margi n evaluation, the sensitivity and specificity were both estimated to b e 100%. Conclusions: TP has the advantage of being a simple, quick (1 to 3 minutes), safe (no loss of diagnostic material), and accurate met hod for diagnosis and estimation of tumor margins at the time of the o riginal surgery.