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Annals of Surgical Oncology
Published in: Annals of Surgical Oncology 5/2009

01-05-2009 | Breast Oncology

Axillary Staging by Percutaneous Biopsy: Sensitivity of Fine-Needle Aspiration Versus Core Needle Biopsy

Authors: Roshni Rao, MD, Lisa Lilley, NP, Valerie Andrews, MD, Lee Radford, MD, Michael Ulissey, MD

Published in: Annals of Surgical Oncology | Issue 5/2009

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Abstract

Background

We sought to determine whether percutaneous core needle biopsy (CNB) of suspicious axillary lymph nodes in patients with breast cancer offers improved diagnostic accuracy compared with fine-needle aspiration (FNA).

Methods

Records of 400 patients were reviewed to identify patients undergoing ultrasound-guided biopsy followed by surgical axillary evaluation (sentinel lymph node biopsy or axillary lymph node dissection). Patients underwent diagnosis and treatment at a single high-volume county hospital. Data collected included demographics, treatment, biopsy, and surgical pathology. Percutaneous biopsy results were compared with results of sentinel lymph node biopsy or axillary lymph node dissection.

Results

Forty-seven patients met final study criteria. Twenty-two patients underwent FNA, and 25 underwent CNB. Sensitivity of FNA was 75% vs. 82% for CNB. Specificity for both was 100%. Additionally, a cost comparison of CNB versus FNA revealed CNB to be $404; FNA cost was $237.

Conclusions

The current data do not support the routine use of CNB over FNA for preoperative axillary staging in breast cancer patients with clinically negative axillas. Additionally, the substantial increase in cost without a marked improvement in sensitivity may favor the performance of FNA.
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Metadata
Title
Axillary Staging by Percutaneous Biopsy: Sensitivity of Fine-Needle Aspiration Versus Core Needle Biopsy
Authors
Roshni Rao, MD
Lisa Lilley, NP
Valerie Andrews, MD
Lee Radford, MD
Michael Ulissey, MD
Publication date
01-05-2009
Publisher
Springer-Verlag
Published in
Annals of Surgical Oncology / Issue 5/2009
Print ISSN: 1068-9265
Electronic ISSN: 1534-4681
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1245/s10434-009-0421-9

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