Current practice patterns and recent trends in breast biopsy among radiologists and surgeons

To ascertain the relative roles of radiologists and surgeons in breast biopsy.

The Nationwide Medicare Physician Supplier Procedure Summary Master Files for 1999 to 2004 were used to study the 4 Current Procedural Terminology, Fourth Edition, codes for breast biopsy. Using the Medicare specialty codes, physician providers were categorized as radiologists, surgeons, or others. Procedure volumes for each of the 3 groups were tabulated for each year of the study, and trends were assessed.

Between 1999 and 2004, the breast biopsy utilization rate per 100,000 Medicare beneficiaries increased by 43%. In 2004, a total of 144,697 breast biopsies were performed, of which 124,423 (86%) were done with imaging guidance. From 1999 to 2004, procedure volume increased by 101% among radiologists, compared with 32% among surgeons. By 2004, radiologists performed 63% of all breast biopsies, compared with 32% by surgeons and 5% by others. Within the 2 codes that are specific for the use of imaging guidance, radiologists performed 72%.

Radiologists predominate in breast biopsies, and their role has gotten progressively stronger in recent years.