Assessment of microcalcifications with limited number of high-precision macrobiopsies

Stereotactic biopsy assessment of microcalcification clusters with direct and frontal macrobiopsies was performed in a population of 46 women screened for breast cancer. The only clinical finding in these women was microcalcification. Sensitivity of the procedure was 98% and calcifications were detected in 107 out of 148 tissue specimens (73%). This is the highest reported ratio so far. Interestingly, the total number of cores was inversely correlated with the success rate, suggesting that the accuracy of the direct and frontal approach is high. Four out of 46 women underwent surgery for malignancy indicating that 41 women escaped intervention with a mean follow-up of at least 1 year. Patient satisfaction is high, in particular regarding reported pain, fear and overall appreciation. No complications were seen. The data suggest that a lower number of macrobiopsies for microcalcifications could be acceptable with direct and frontal biopsy methods without reducing sensitivity. Lowering the number of biopsies can optimize the interpretation of surgical margin and reduce the number of biopsy-related mastectomies. European Journal of Cancer Prevention 19: 374-378 (C) 2010 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.