Preoperative core needle biopsy does not increase local recurrence rate in breast cancer patients

Objective. Several case reports and clinical studies in the literature demonstrate needle track seeding after core needle biopsy in patients with breast cancer in up to 50% of cases. The impact of this observation on local recurrence and overall survival rate is, however, not fully investigated. Patients and design. We retrospectively analysed 719 patients after breast conserving surgery and postoperative radiotherapy for stage I and II breast cancer. We divided this group into patients with (189) and without (530) preoperative core needle biopsy. Demographic data, local recurrence and overall survival rate were compared between these two groups. Result. Preoperative core needle biopsy did not significantly influence the local free recurrence rate (median follow-up time of 78 and 71 months, respectively). The prognostic factors and the postoperative therapy did not differ significantly between the two groups. Conclusion. Preoperative core needle biopsy seems to have no detrimental impact on local recurrence and overall survival after breast conserving surgery and postoperative radiotherapy.