Malignant microcalcification; Prediction of excision margins by separating calcified and non calcified core biopsies

Abstract

Introduction: Suspicious microcalcification is investigated by Vacuum Assisted Core Biopsy (VACB). Many patients, in whom malignancy is diagnosed, go on to have breast conserving surgery where positive resection margins require re-operation. The aim of this study was to determine if there is an increased risk of positive margins when malignancy is identified in cores without microcalcification.