Ss. Al-sobhi et al., Extent of lumpectomy for breast cancer after diagnosis by stereotactic core versus wire localization biopsy, ANN SURG O, 6(4), 1999, pp. 330-335
Background: Stereotactic core biopsy of mammographically defined breast abn
ormalities is an alternative to wire localization biopsy. The purpose of th
is study was to evaluate the extent of lumpectomy in patients diagnosed by
stereotactic core versus wire localization biopsy.
Methods: A total of 67 consecutive patients diagnosed with invasive cancers
or ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) were retrospectively reviewed. Thirty-f
our were diagnosed by core biopsy and the remaining 33 by wire localization
biopsy.
Results: Approximately 65% of patients subsequently had breast-conserving s
urgical therapy. Seventy-nine percent of patients undergoing wire localizat
ion biopsies had positive surgical margins. Achievement of negative surgica
l margins for lumpectomies performed after wire localization or stereotacti
c core biopsies was 100% and 89%, respectively, which was not significantly
different. However, the total volume of breast tissue removed for breast c
onservation in patients undergoing lumpectomy after wire localization versu
s core biopsies was 183 cm(3) and 104 cm(3), respectively, which was signif
icantly different (P = .003).
Conclusions: Diagnosis by stereotactic core biopsies resulted in less tissu
e removal to achieve margin-negative lumpectomies for breast conservation.
Stereotactic core biopsy is the method of choice for biopsying nonpalpable,
suspicious breast lesions.