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Breast biopsy evaluation by paraffin-block radiography
Archives of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine
|September 1, 1978
Summary
Radiography of benign breast biopsy samples revealed significant calcifications in 19.3% of cases. However, further examination of these calcifications did not identify any occult breast carcinoma, suggesting a low risk of malignancy in such findings.
Area of Science:
- Radiology
- Pathology
- Oncology
Background:
- Occult breast carcinoma is present in up to 2.4% of benign breast biopsy interpretations.
- Mammography use was not prevalent during the period when these biopsies were obtained.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the frequency and significance of calcifications in benign breast biopsy specimens.
- To assess the potential for missed malignancy (occult breast carcinoma) in these cases.
Main Methods:
- Paraffin-block radiography was performed on 658 blocks from 119 breast biopsies.
- Biopsies were initially interpreted as benign and obtained before routine mammography.
- Significant calcifications were identified, and step sections of these blocks were analyzed.
Main Results:
- Calcifications were present in 87.4% of all breast biopsy cases examined.
- Significant calcifications were found in 19.3% of the cases.
- No malignant neoplasms were identified in step sections of blocks with significant calcifications.
Conclusions:
- While significant calcifications are common in initially benign breast biopsies, they did not indicate occult breast carcinoma in this study.
- Paraffin-block radiography can help identify calcifications, but further analysis is needed to rule out malignancy.