Non-palpable breast lesions. Diagnostic criteria and preoperative localization

Marking of non-palpable breast lesions for biopsy has become a routine procedure in patients in whom mammography has suggested malignancy. Between October 1981 and December 1985 a localization method was used in 123 patients. In 35 per cent of the biopsies a malignant lesion was disclosed. In patients with a mass only, malignancy was found in 37 per cent of the biopsies. If microcalcifications alone were the main reason for the biopsy, malignancy was disclosed in 25 per cent. If both a mass and microcalcifications were present, 52 per cent of the biopsies disclosed a malignant lesion.