Stereotaxic core needle aspiration biopsy with multiple passes in nonpalpable breast lesions

Objective: To compare the grade of histologic agreement between stereotaxic core needle aspiration biopsy (SCNAB) with multiple passes, and surgical excision. Methods: A total of 180 patients with 182 nonpalpable breast lesions underwent SCNAB with multiple passes in an upright add-on stereotaxic device using a manual 1.8-mm needle (15 G). In this group, 125 patients underwent subsequent surgical excision. Results: A SCNAB result indicative of malignancy (invasive or noninvasive carcinoma) was obtained in 68 (87%) of the 78 breast carcinomas (14 noninvasive and 64 invasive) and definitive surgical therapy with a one-stage procedure was performed. Complete or partial agreement between core biopsy and surgery was observed in 19 (86%) of 22 invasive or noninvasive carcinomas discovered by microcalcifications, 40 (97.5%) of 41 invasive carcinomas discovered by a mass, and 9 (60%) of 15 invasive or noninvasive carcinomas discovered by architectural distortion. Six (33%) of the 18 patients whose core biopsies showed noninvasive carcinoma had an invasive or microinvasive component at subsequent surgery. Atypical hyperplasia or benign core biopsy was observed in 6 (8%) and 4 (5%) breast carcinomas respectively. Conclusion: SCNAB with multiple passes is a reliable method for identifying nonpalpable lesions in patients with noninvasive or invasive carcinomas discovered by respectively microcalcifications or mass.