Localization biopsy for impalpable breast lesions in a district general hospital

127 patients undergoing localization biopsy for impalpable breast lesions were analysed retrospectively. Patients were included from both the UK Breast Screening Programme and from the symptomatic Breast Clinic. 49.6% of the biopsies were histologically benign, whereas 50.4% were malignant, including in-situ carcinoma. This is a significantly higher cancer rate than previous series. Localization biopsy has an important role in the diagnosis of mammographically suspicious lesions which are impalpable. 80% of the patients originated from the Breast Screening Programme which has important financial implications on surgical workload.