Impact of Non-Calcified Specimen Pathology on the Underestimation of Malignancy for the Incomplete Retrieval of Suspicious Calcifications Diagnosed as Flat Epithelial Atypia or Atypical Ductal Hyperplasia by Stereotactic Vacuum-Assisted Breast Biopsy

AbstractWith improvements in breast imaging and minimally invasive interventions, detection of early breast cancer has increased. However, with the improved diagnostic capabilities, the risk of false-positive benign lesions as well as lesions classified as B3 by histopathology has also increased. Varying rates of malignancies are associated with B3 lesions, raising the question of whether such lesions should always be surgically removed. The results of our retrospective analysis should assist in this decision-making process.307 core needle or vacuum-assisted needle biopsies in which B3 lesions were found were examined. The most common lesions were intraductal papillomas (44 %), atypical ductal hyperplasia (22.8 %), flat epithelial atypia (9.4 %), phyllodes tumours (6.5 %), radial scars (5.9 %), LIN 1 (4.9 %), complex fibroadenomas (3.3 %) and LIN 2 (1.6 %). The frequencies depended considerably on whether the tissue was obtained by core biopsy or vacuum biopsy. Stereotactic vacuum biopsy was generally performed in the case of microcalcification not apparent on sonography. Lesions visible on ultrasound had core needle biopsy.Surgery was performed in 254 cases and a malignancy was found in 27.2 % on the final histopathology. Malignancy was found in 24.6 % of 114 cases initially diagnosed as intraductal papilloma. Similarly, cancer was discovered in 48.4 % of the 62 cases of atypical ductal hyperplasia, in 2.4 % of the 41 cases of flat epithelial atypia, complex fibroadenoma and phyllodes tumour, in 20.7 % of the 29 cases of LIN 1 and radial scar as well as in 50 % of the 8 cases of LIN 2, adenomyoepithelioma and atypical apocrine metaplasia.These data indicate the necessity for complete surgical removal of a B3 lesion when it is discovered using the core needle or vacuum-assisted biopsy technique. The decision not to perform surgery can be made when the risk of associated malignancy is deemed low in the clinical pathology conference, but careful follow-up is essential.

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Suspicious amorphous microcalcifications detected on full-field digital mammography: correlation with histopathology

Radiologia Brasileira ◽

10.1590/0100-3984.2017.0025 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 51 (2) ◽

pp. 87-94 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Vera Christina Camargo de Siqueira Ferreira ◽

Elba Cristina Sá de Camargo Etchebehere ◽

José Luiz Barbosa Bevilacqua ◽

Nestor de Barros

Keyword(s):

Digital Mammography ◽

Breast Biopsy ◽

Atypical Ductal Hyperplasia ◽

Flat Epithelial Atypia ◽

Histopathological Analysis ◽

Precursor Lesions ◽

Full Field ◽

Histopathological Classification ◽

Full Field Digital Mammography ◽

Ductal Hyperplasia

Abstract Objective: To evaluate suspicious amorphous calcifications diagnosed on full-field digital mammography (FFDM) and establish correlations with histopathology findings. Materials and Methods: This was a retrospective study of 78 suspicious amorphous calcifications (all classified as BI-RADS® 4) detected on FFDM. Vacuum-assisted breast biopsy (VABB) was performed. The histopathological classification of VABB core samples was as follows: pB2 (benign); pB3 (uncertain malignant potential); pB4 (suspicion of malignancy); and pB5 (malignant). Treatment was recommended for pB5 lesions. To rule out malignancy, surgical excision was recommended for pB3 and pB4 lesions. Patients not submitted to surgery were followed for at least 6 months. Results: Among the 78 amorphous calcifications evaluated, the histopathological analysis indicated that 8 (10.3%) were malignant/suspicious (6 classified as pB5 and 2 classified as pB4) and 36 (46.2%) were benign (classified as pB2). The remaining 34 lesions (43.6%) were classified as pB3: 33.3% were precursor lesions (atypical ductal hyperplasia, lobular neoplasia, or flat epithelial atypia) and 10.3% were high-risk lesions. For the pB3 lesions, the underestimation rate was zero. Conclusion: The diagnosis of precursor lesions (excluding atypical ductal hyperplasia, which can be pB4 depending on the severity and extent of the lesion) should not necessarily be considered indicative of underestimation of malignancy. Suspicious amorphous calcifications correlated more often with precursor lesions than with malignant lesions, at a ratio of 3:1.

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