[The treatment of clinically silent breast lesions]

Analysis of a diagnostic procedure leading to the clinical diagnosis and treatment of nonpalpable lesions in breast was presented in the paper. 668 women with breast lesions were treated in our department between 1995 and 2001. Nonpalpable lesions were detected in 68 women. The following diagnostic-treatment algorithm was used: case history and physical examination, radiological examination, hooked wire localisation under mammography or USG, breast surgical biopsy, intra-operative histological examination, further procedures according to morphological changes found in patients. Mammography was performed in 68 patients. Stereotactic needle biopsy under mammography was done in 61 patients (DXRBL-18-9 needle was used). The lesions were localized under USG in 7 patients. Surgical biopsy and X-Ray examination of the removed specimen was performed in 68 patients. Intra-operative histological examination revealed benign lesions in 54 women whereas malignant lesions were found in 14 women. Post-operative complications were present in 8 patients. Nonpalpable breast lesions require individual, planned diagnostic treatment. Stereotactic needle biopsy not only allows definitive surgical removal of malignant lesions within margins of normal breast tissue but also gives a good cosmetic effect. Complex diagnostics together with standardized procedure ensure the highest rate of correct diagnosis and lower the risk of diagnostic failures.