Stereotactic Core Biopsy Research Articles

Large needle core biopsy — Avoidance of biopsy table bombardment by the biopsy needle in stereotactic guided breast biopsy

Table bombardment by automated biopsy needle is an occasional technical problem during stereotactic core biopsy of the breast. It is most commonly encountered in small breasts and when lesions are close to the biopsy table. A reference chart is devised for stereotactic core biopsy using an add-on erect stereotactic biopsy table and automated spring-loaded biopsy gun. The chart serves as a reference for pre-biopsy assessment of the feasibility of core biopsy in the vertical approach due to the constraints of lesion depth and breast thickness. It allows easy and quick reference for the required needle length input for the stereotactic system to prevent table bombardment.

Decubitus stereotactic core biopsy of the breast: technique and experience.

T he use of dedicated prone tables for stereotactic core biopsy of the breast has been well described I 1, 2J. Because budgetary and space constraints prevented our purchasing such a table, we developed a technique using an add-on stereotactic unit with the patient in the decubitus position, avoiding the problems of movement and syncope sometimes encountered in the upright position. We describe the technique and report on 3 years 6 months’ experience using this technique as the primary means of diagnosis for all mammographic lesions not seen on sonography. Besides the stereotactic unit, no special equipment is needed. This technique provides an optimum approach to all parts of the breast, gives reliable results, and should be widely applicable. especially when funding or space constraints have impeded the implementation of prone stereotactic breast biopsy.

Stereotactic Percutaneous Breast Biopsy: A Comparative Analysis Between Surgeon and Radiologist.

The purpose of this study was to analyze the use of stereotactic percutaneous breast biopsy in the treatment of nonpalpable breast abnormalities. In addition, we set out to compare the results of both radiologists and surgeons performing the procedure and to provide an estimation of the cost per patient. A retrospective analysis of the use of stereotactic core biopsy (SCBx) to diagnose suspicious breast lesions was performed in 193 patients between December 1995 and February 1997. The study group was compared to a similar group of 106 patients who had needle localization excisional biopsy (NleBx) performed during the same period. Statistical analysis between surgeons and radiologists was performed for the percutaneous procedures. Allowable charges for both specialists were used to compare percutaneous biopsy with open biopsy. Stereotactic percutaneous breast biopsy performed at our institution by either the surgeon or radiologist is an accurate and cost-effective way to evaluate nonpalpable breast abnormalities and saves approximately $1500-$2500 per patient as compared with needle localization excisional biopsy. Adequately trained surgeons and radiologists can achieve similar accuracy in utilizing this new technology for breast diagnosis.

Prone stereotactic breast core biopsy: the impact on surgical management of non-palpable breast cancers

The results obtained in 111 patients with screen detected abnormalities investigated by core biopsy performed on a prone table have been compared with a histological group of 111 patients. There was a higher preoperative diagnosis in the prone biopsy group (81.1% vs 45.5%; P < 0.0001). Prone stereotactic core biopsy is currently the optimum method of obtaining a pre-operative diagnosis of lesions visualized on mammography alone.

Breast Conservation from the Standpoint of a Pathologist:Diagnostic Issues of Stereotactic Needle Core Biopsy.

Breast Conservation from the Standpoint of a Pathologist:Diagnostic Issues of Stereotactic Needle Core Biopsy.

US-guided core breast biopsy: use and cost-effectiveness.

To determine the frequency with which ultrasonographically (US) guided core biopsy obviated diagnostic surgical biopsy of nonpalpable breast masses, to calculate the cost savings of diagnosis attributable to US-guided core biopsy, and to compare the costs of US-guided versus stereotactically guided core biopsy. US-guided core biopsy was performed in 151 consecutive solitary, nonpalpable breast masses in 151 women (age range, 23-80 years) by using a 14-gauge automated gun and needle. Clinical follow-up data were obtained. Cost savings were assessed by using national Medicare reimbursement costs of +385 for US-guided core biopsy, +610 for stereotactic core biopsy, and +1,332 for needle localization and surgical biopsy. US-guided core biopsy obviated a surgical procedure in 128 (85%) of 151 women. The mean adjusted direct cost saving per US-guided core biopsy was +744 per case. Use of US-guided biopsy decreased the cost of diagnosis by 56% (+744/+1,332) over the cost of surgical biopsy. If biopsy had been performed with stereotactic rather than with US guidance, the mean adjusted direct cost saving would have been +519 per case, a 39% (+519/1,332) decrease in the cost of diagnosis compared with the cost of surgical biopsy. Percutaneous biopsy of a nonpalpable breast mass with either US or stereotactic guidance is less expensive than surgery, but cost savings are greater with US-guided biopsy.

Stereotactic Core Biopsy Reduces the Reexcision Rate and the Cost of Mammographically Detected Cancer

The management of patients with mammographic abnormalities is rapidly shifting from needle-localized surgical biopsy (NLB) to stereotactic core biopsy (SCB). The precise role of SCB in the management of nonpalpable breast cancer remains to be defined. The purpose of this study was to compare SCB to NLB in the diagnosis of mammographically detected breast cancer in women who underwent breast-conserving surgery. The records of all patients with nonpalpable breast cancer who underwent breast-conserving surgery from 1/1/95 to 6/1/97 were analyzed with respect to method of diagnosis, time interval from detection to diagnosis and breast-conserving surgery, volume of breast tissue excised, margin status and reexcision rate, number of surgical procedures, and total charges and costs per patient. During a 30-month period, 117 patients with nonpalpable breast cancer underwent breast-conserving surgery. The diagnosis was made by NLB in 69 patients and SCB in 48 patients. The time from detection to diagnosis and breast-conserving surgery was 1.7 ± 0.5 and 8.1 ± 1.2 days for SCB patients and 6.8 ± 1.3 and 16.9 ± 2.3 days for NLB patients (P< 0.01). The volume of breast tissue removed was 117.9 ± 5.6 cm3for SCB patients versus 75.2 ± 2.9 cm3for NLB patients (P< 0.01). Three SCB patients (6%) had positive margins, while 38 NLB patients (55%) had positive margins (P< 0.01). Only 1 SCB patient (2%) was reexcised, while 34 NLB patients (50%) were reexcised (P< 0.01). Eighty-nine percent of SCB patients had a single surgical procedure compared to 39% of NLB patients (P< 0.001). Patients who underwent SCB had reduced total charges and total costs per patient compared to NLB patients ($11,700 ± $554 and $3537 ± $167 per SCB patient versus $15,654 ± $706 and $4853 ± $198 per NLB patient,P< 0.0001). Stereotactic core biopsy shortens the time from detection at mammography to diagnosis and breast-conserving therapy, permits appropriate discussion of treatment alternatives, reduces the positive margin rate and reexcision rate, and may represent a significant cost savings in the management of nonpalpable breast cancer.

Interstitial Laser Hyperthermia Model Development for Minimally Invasive Therapy of Breast Carcinoma

Background: This investigation describes the preclinical development of a laser fiberoptic interstitial delivery system for the thermal destruction of small breast cancers. We propose adaptation of this technology to stereotactic mammographic instrumentation currently employed for diagnostic core biopsy to thermally ablate a site of disease with maximal treatment efficacy, minimal observable surficial change, reduced patient trauma, and lowered overall treatment costs. Study Design: Laser hyperthermia is a clinical modality that seeks to achieve tumor destruction through controlled tissue heating. The advantage of laser-induced hyperthermia over traditionally used heat sources such as ultrasound, microwave, or radiowave radiation lies in the ability to focus heat localization to the specific tumor tissue site. Neodymium:yttrium aluminum garnet (Nd:YAG) laser light transmitted through a fiberoptic cable to a diffusing quartz tip can induce such temperature increases leading to localized tissue destruction. Because breast cancer occurs with greatest frequency in the mature woman whose breast tissue has undergone glandular involution with fatty replacement, this study concentrates on determining the resultant laser energy heat distribution within fat and fibrofatty tissue. This investigation studied the time-temperature responses of ex vivo human breast and porcine fibrofatty tissue, which led to an in vivo subcutaneous porcine model for the practical demonstration of a laser hyperthermia treatment of small volumes of porcine mammary chain tissue. Results: Spatial recordings of the resultant temperature fields through time exhibited similar, reproducible thermal profiles in both ex vivo human breast and subcutaneous porcine fat. In vivo laser-produced temperature fields in porcine subcutaneous fat were comparable to those in the ex vivo analyses, and showed a histologically, sharply defined, and controllable volume of necrosis with no injury to adjacent tissues or to overlying skin. Conclusions: Interstitially placed, fiberoptically delivered Nd:YAG laser energy is capable of controlled tissue denaturation to a defined volume for the treatment of small breast cancers. It is hoped that this minimally invasive approach, with further investigation and refinement, may lead to the effective treatment of small, well-defined breast cancers that are commonly diagnosed through stereographic mammography and stereotactic core biopsy. The juxtaposition of such a localized treatment modality with these increasingly used diagnostic tools is of considerable promise.

Histologic-radiologic correlation of mammographically detected microcalcification in stereotactic core biopsies.

Core biopsy is an alternative technique to surgical excision for assessment of nonpalpable mammographically detected suspicious lesions. The pattern of radiologic calcification is often considered to have diagnostic importance. The aim of this study was to correlate radiologic and histologic features of calcification, with respect to appearance, distribution, and size, to determine the significance, if any, of different radiologic patterns of calcification. Core biopsy samples from 124 women who had 129 mammographically suspicious areas of calcification were examined. Core biopsy samples (five cores per procedure) were obtained stereotactically using a 14-gauge needle in an automated Biopty (Bard Australia, Chatswood, NSW, Australia) gun. In 30 lesions no histologic calcification was found. In the others, there was a poor correlation between radiology and histology with respect to the appearance and distribution of calcification. In a subgroup of 53 women, radiographs of biopsy cores were available to allow correlation with the size of histologic calcification. Calcification of <100 microm assessed histologically was not visible on core biopsy specimen radiographs and may not represent the calcification seen mammographically. Thus, radiography of core biopsy samples and histologic measurement of the size of calcification in core biopsy specimens is useful to reduce false-negative diagnoses in which a biopsy has been performed to evaluate mammographically suspicious calcifications.

Placement of endovascular embolization microcoils to localize the site of breast lesions removed at stereotactic core biopsy.

In 13 cases, a breast abnormality was inadvertently removed during stereotactic core biopsy, and a 0.5- or 1.0-cm-long endovascular embolization microcoil was placed to mark the biopsy site. In seven patients, the microcoils allowed successful preoperative localization of the lesion site. In six patients, 6-month follow-up mammograms showed no change in microcoil position. Placement of embolization microcoils helped localize the site of breast lesions removed during stereotactic core biopsy.

Breast stereotactic core biopsy washings: abundant cell samples from clinically occult lesions for flow cytometric DNA analysis.

The object of this study was to determine by flow cytometry the cellular and DNA content of the washings of core biopsy samples and needles obtained during stereotactic core biopsies of clinically occult suspicious lesions. Fourteen-gauge core multipass biopsy inner-needle saline washings obtained after dislodgment of the tissue core samples (n = 30) and 14-ga mammotomy core biopsy specimen washings (n = 30) were analyzed by flow cytometry. Multipass core biopsy needle washings of 7 malignant and 23 benign lesions yielded a median of 10,584 cells per lesion (range 562-29,019 cells). Mammotomy core biopsy specimen washings of 10 malignant and 20 benign lesions yielded a median of 12,164 cells per lesion (range 1,295-115,150). Forty-four (73%) washings in each technique had more than 5000 cells. Flow cytometric DNA ploidy analysis was possible in 60 (100%) and the S phase percentage determination was possible in 59 (98%) of the washings. Aneuploidy was detected in 53% of malignant lesions and 2% of benign lesions. Core biopsy specimen or needle washings provide abundant fresh cellular material from clinically occult lesions for DNA analysis by flow cytometry.

Stereotactic core biopsy of calcifications highly suggestive of malignancy.

To assess stereotactic core biopsy for evaluation of Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System (BI-RADS) category 5 calcifications (highly suggestive of malignancy). Retrospective review of mammograms revealed 31 women (aged 34-86 years) with BI-RADS category 5 calcifications who underwent 14-gauge stereotactic core biopsy with an automated gun. Records were reviewed to determine the frequency with which stereotactic core biopsy obviated a surgical procedure. Cost savings were based on Medicare estimates of $472 for stereotactic core biopsy and $1,335 for surgical biopsy. Of 31 patients, stereotactic core biopsy revealed carcinoma in 19 (61%), atypical ductal hyperplasia (ADH) in eight (26%), and benign findings discordant with mammographic results in four (13%). Surgical biopsy was recommended for the 12 patients with ADH or benign but discordant core biopsy diagnoses. Of the 19 patients with carcinoma at stereotactic core biopsy, two chose to undergo a second biopsy surgically, two had small foci of ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) that would have been fully excised with surgical biopsy, one with DCIS at stereotactic core biopsy underwent axillary dissection after invasion was found at surgery, and one underwent excision but had tumor at lumpectomy margins. Thirteen (42%) of 31 patients were spared a surgical procedure, saving $100 per patient. Stereotactic core biopsy with an automated gun obviated a surgical procedure in 42% of patients with BI-RADS category 5 calcifications, resulting in modest cost savings in this group.

Impalpable breast lesions: stereotactic core biopsy with an ‘add-on’ unit

Stereotactic core biopsy (SCB) for impalpable breast lesions has advantages over stereotactic fine needle aspiration biopsy. There are fewer inadequate specimens, the confidence of a benign diagnosis is higher, and appropriate initial surgery can be planned when invasive carcinoma is found. SCB was performed on 200 patients using an add-on unit with a standard mammography machine. Large bore (14 gauge) biopsy needles were used. A benign process not requiring surgery was found in 61 patients; definite malignancy was shown in the core in 90 patients with a correct prediction of invasion in 89% of 53 invasive cancers. Forty-nine other patients were referred for surgery because the core histology showed atypia or findings suspicious of malignancy or because the histological result did not adequately correlate with the mammographic appearances. SCB using an add-on unit can produce results similar to those obtained using a dedicated prone biopsy unit, and is an appropriate investigation in patients with suspicious impalpable breast lesions in hospitals where prone tables are not available.

Stereotactic large-gauge core biopsy: Its role in the diagnosis of non-palpable mammographic abnormalities presenting to a screening service

Stereotactic large-gauge core biopsy: Its role in the diagnosis of non-palpable mammographic abnormalities presenting to a screening service

Stereotactic large-gauge core biopsy: Its role in the diagnosis of non-palpable mammographic abnormalities presenting to a screening service

A retrospective study of large-gauge core biopsy (LGCB) of 206 non-palpable mammographic abnormalities detected at routine screening in a community-based clinic accredited with the Australian National Program for the Early Detection of Breast cancer, was performed to ascertain the role of LGCB as an alternative to diagnostic surgical biopsy within such a programme. Of the 51 malignancies diagnosed by LGCB and proceeding to treatment, no false-positives were found and agreement as to the presence, or otherwise, of invasion between core and open biopsy was 95%. Once malignancy was established by LGCB, one-stage treatment was possible in 74.5% of cases. A total of 114 lesions were considered to be benign and returned to routine screening. One interval cancer subsequently developed in this group. Incongruity between the pathological diagnosis from core biopsy and the mammographic image occurred in 29 cases, representing potential mistargeting in 14.1% of cases. Four cancers were discovered in this group when the patients subsequently proceeded to surgical biopsy, making an overall false-negative rate of 2.4%. No core biopsy sample was considered inadequate for pathological assessment and no lesion proved inaccessible to targeting. There was no long-term morbidity. We believe that LGCB is a safe, reliable and cheaper alternative to diagnostic surgical biopsy, but a close correlation of pathology and mammography is required to avoid the erroneous return of women to routine recall.

Analysis of cancers not diagnosed at stereotactic core breast biopsy.

To evaluate the mammographic and histopathologic features of carcinomas not diagnosed at stereotactic core biopsy. A retrospective review revealed 144 surgically confirmed carcinomas preoperatively sampled with stereotactic core biopsy. Diagnosis at stereotactic core biopsy was carcinoma in 116 (81%) lesions, atypical hyperplasia in 21 (15%), and benign findings discordant with those from mammography in seven (5%). Mammographic and histopathologic findings in the latter 28 cases were reviewed. Prompt repeat biopsy was recommended in all 28 cases. The frequency with which a cancer yielded atypical hyperplasia at stereotactic core biopsy was higher for calcifications than masses (30% vs 5%, P < .0001), ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) than infiltrating carcinoma (33% vs 7%, P = .0002), and noncomedo than comedo DCIS (60% vs 9%, P = .0008). No significant difference was observed in the likelihood of benign core biopsy findings without atypia in malignant calcifications versus masses (7% vs 3%, P = .43), DCIS versus infiltrating carcinoma (7% vs 4%, P = .43), or noncomedo versus comedo DCIS (0% vs 9%, P = .49). The likelihood of not diagnosing carcinoma was highest for calcifications and for noncomedo DCIS. Discordance in mammographic and histopathologic findings or the presence of atypical hyperplasia may enable the radiologist to identify missed or underestimated carcinomas prospectively and avoid a delay in diagnosis.

Cost-effectiveness of stereotactic core needle biopsy: analysis by means of mammographic findings.

To determine the cost savings of stereotactic core needle biopsy over open surgical biopsy in patient subgroups defined according to mammographic findings. From July 1992 through February 1995, stereotactic core needle biopsy was performed in 356 women with 405 nonpalpable breast lesions (254 were masses and 151 were calcification). Lesions were classified according to mammographic finding, size, and level of suspicion. Two hundred three lesions were classified as indeterminate, 166 as suspicious, and 36 as highly suspicious. Medicare reimbursements for 1995 were used to determine costs and cost savings. Overall cost savings for stereotactic core biopsy over open surgical biopsy was $741 per case. Average cost savings per case was $807 for masses and $630 for calcifications. The greatest savings occurred in the cases of indeterminate masses, with an average of $856 saved per case. The least savings occurred in the cases of highly suspicious calcifications, with $446 saved per case. Cost savings of stereotactic core needle biopsy vary in subgroups of patients defined according to mammographic findings. Over-all savings will depend on the distribution of patients among these groups. In this series, cost savings were realized with stereotactic core biopsy over open surgical biopsy for all mammographic subgroups.

Stereotactic core breast biopsy versus needle localization breast biopsy - the effect of initial diagnostic modality on surgical therapy in patients with breast cancer

Summary. The aim was to assess the effect of the initial diagnostic modality on surgical planning in patients with mammographically detected malignancies. A retrospective chart review of 40 patients with mammographically detected breast cancer was undertaken. The diagnosis was established in 20 patients by needle localization breast biopsy and in 20 patients by stereotactic core breast biopsy. In patients whose diagnosis was established by stereotactic core breast biopsy, all were treated with only one operation per patient. In those patients whose diagnosis was established by needle localization breast biopsy, an average of 2.1 surgeries per patient were required to diagnose and treat this group. Patients with abnormal mammograms should have the diagnosis established by stereotactic biopsy. If the lesion was malignant, a planned one-stage definitive operation was successful in all of our patients. We feel that stereotactic core biopsy is the preferred method for establishing a diagnosis in patients with suspicious mammographic findings.

The current state of stereotactic core breast biopsy and mammotomy

SummaryThe ‘standard’ stereotactic core biopsy technique represents a stable plateau in the evolution of percutaneous breast intervention. In the spring of 1993, a purpose-built stereotactic breast biopsy instrument, the Mammotomer` (Biopsysr` Medical, Inc., Irvine, CA) was developed. The stereotactic ‘mammotomy’ procedure allows the sampling probe to remain in the breast during the entire biopsy procedure, while tissue samples are automatically deposited into a ‘pathology cassette’ for tissue position coding and histologic processing. This technique improves accuracy and has replaced mammographic localization and open surgical biopsy at our institution. The classic breast diagnostic and therapeutic referral patterns involving the general surgeon, radiologist and patient are reviewed. Percutaneous breast cancer treatment methods are also discussed.

Mammary fibroadenoma and some phyllodes tumour stroma are composed of CD34+ fibroblasts and factor XIIIa+ dendrophages.

Fibroadenomas and mammary phyllodes tumour arise by proliferation of mammary stroma and epithelial elements. However, it is the stromal element that determines the biology of these biphasic tumours. Normal mammary stroma, like most collagenous connective tissue, contains resident populations of CD34+ dendritic interstitial cells and scattered factor XIIIa+ collagen-associated dendrophages. Actin+myofibroblasts are usually absent from mammary stroma in non-disease states. To determine whether CD34+ and factor XIIIa+ cells proliferate in fibroadenomas and phyllodes tumours, and to study myofibroblastic differentiation in these lesions, we examined 19 fibroadenomas in 14 patients along with five low grade and two high grade phyllodes tumours. We employed antibodies against the human progenitor cell antigen CD34, coagulation factor XIIIa and HHF-35 actin. In three fibroadenomas and two phyllodes tumours, we used Ki-67 antigen to study cell proliferation and oestrogen and progesterone receptors to study possible hormonal influence on stromal cells. In all fibroadenomas, CD34 strongly stained interlobular, pericanalicular and intracanalicular fibroblasts with collagenous and/or myxoid features. Four low grade phyllodes tumours also had CD34+ fibroblasts as did one high grade tumour. Actin reactivity varied and was most pronounced in six fibroadenomas resembling the so-called cellular variant, while seven regular fibroadenomas had no actin+stromal cells and six had only focal and weak actin+stromal cells. Factor XIIIa+ cells were prominently admixed in the stroma of all tumours studied comprising from 5% to 20% in fibroadenomas and, focally, up to 50% in phyllodes tumours. Oestrogen and progesterone receptors were expressed only in glandular elements. Ki-67 index in stromal cells was 1% to 3% in fibroadenoma, 10% to 20% in low grade, and 20% to 40% in high grade phyllodes tumour. We conclude that fibroadenomas and some phyllodes tumours are composed of CD34+ fibroblasts that show varying myxoid, collagenous or myofibroblastic differentiation. The fibroblasts are accompanied by a subset of dendritic histiocytes that express factor XIIIa. Fibroadenoma variants show prominent collagenous actin+myofibroblastic differentiation of CD34+ stromal cells, sometimes with a gradient of CD34 down-regulation. Fine-needle or limited stereotactic core biopsy of these biphasic tumours, if they yield only stromal cells, must be distinguished from other CD34+ stromal tumours. Increased factor XIIIa+ dendrophage populations were seen in phyllodes tumours, especially in two high grade tumours that had malignant fibrous histiocytoma-like features, suggesting clonal evolution toward the fibrohistiocytic final pathway. Further study of CD34 and factor XIIIa+ mammary stromal cells in larger numbers of phyllodes tumours might ascertain whether increasing factor XIIIa reactivity correlates with differentiation and increased tumour aggressiveness.