Needle-localized biopsy of occult breast lesions

Over a 3 1/2-year period, we did 121 needle-localized breast biopsies for nonpalpable, mammographically suggestive lesions. The presence of a mass lesion on mammography with or without microcalcifications was associated with malignancy more frequently than microcalcifications alone. In 15 cases (12.4%), biopsy showed malignancy; 13 patients had modified radical mastectomy, with 11 (85%) having no histologic evidence of axillary metastases. Evaluation of risk factors associated with breast cancer in those patients with positive biopsy results showed that advanced age and a past history of a breast cancer were present in a significant number of patients. Four patients (3.5%) had complications; a hematoma developed in one (0.8%), and three (2.7%) required a second biopsy to remove the suggestive mammographic lesion. We conclude that needle-localized breast biopsy is a reliable tool in detecting early breast carcinoma. The procedure causes only minimal morbidity and we believe it should be done in all patients with mammographically suggestive, nonpalpable breast lesions.