Nondiagnostic stereotaxic core breast biopsy: Results of rebiopsy

PURPOSE: To determine the clinical implication of recommendation for repeat biopsy after large-core stereotaxic breast biopsy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Repeat biopsy was recommended in 56 (18%; mean age, 51.0 years) of 314 consecutive women who underwent stereotaxic core biopsy. Biopsy was performed by using a dedicated prone stereotaxic table and digital imaging. When calcifications were present, specimen radiography was performed. Fifty of the 56 women underwent follow-up biopsy. RESULTS: Repeat biopsy was recommended because of ductal atypia in 30 patients, discordant imaging and histopathologic results in 15, diagnoses for which more tissue was required in 10, and radial scar in one. Twenty-two (39%) of the 56 had carcinoma. Carcinoma was detected in 15 women (50%) with ductal atypia and in seven women (47%) with discordant histopathologic and imaging findings. No other cancer was detected. CONCLUSION: Rebiopsy of those lesions for which results are nonconcordant or with a high incidence of coexistent malignancy is necessary for stereotaxic core biopsy to be optimally effective. Among the 56 patients, 39% had malignancy.