Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 6, 2026
06:03
Use of Electromagnetic Navigational Transthoracic Needle Aspiration (E-TTNA) for Sampling of Lung Nodules
Published on: May 23, 2015
Needle tract seeding after vacuum-assisted breast biopsy
N V Michalopoulos1, F Zagouri, T N Sergentanis
1Breast Unit, First Department of Propaedeutic Surgery, Hippokratio Hospital, School of Medicine, University of Athens, Athens, Greece.
Acta Radiologica (Stockholm, Sweden : 1987)
|March 28, 2008
Summary
This study found no evidence of malignant cell seeding along the needle tract after vacuum-assisted breast biopsy (VABB). Benign cell displacement occurred in a small percentage of cases, associated with longer VABB procedure times.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Surgical Pathology
- Radiology
Background:
- Needle biopsy techniques raise concerns about potential tumor cell seeding along the biopsy needle tract.
- Ensuring procedural safety is paramount in breast cancer diagnosis and management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the incidence and significance of cell seeding along the needle tract following vacuum-assisted breast biopsy (VABB).
- To determine if malignant cells disseminate through the needle tract during VABB procedures.
Main Methods:
- The study analyzed 31 patients with ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) or invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC) diagnosed via 11G VABB.
- Post-surgical examination involved embedding the entire needle tract in paraffin, H&E staining, and pathological review.
- Procedure duration was recorded and compared between cases with and without cell displacement.
Main Results:
- No instances of malignant cell dissemination were observed in the needle tracts.
- Benign epithelial cell displacement occurred in 6.5% of cases.
- A significantly longer VABB duration was noted in cases with benign cell displacement (P = 0.018).
Conclusions:
- Vacuum-assisted breast biopsy using an 11G needle does not appear to cause malignant cell displacement along the needle tract.
- Benign cell displacement is a rare finding associated with extended procedure times.
- Tumor cell seeding along the needle tract is likely of minimal clinical significance when established treatment guidelines are adhered to.