Skip to main content
Top
Published in: Annals of Surgical Oncology 2/2007

01-02-2007

Predictive Value of Breast Lesions of “Uncertain Malignant Potential” and “Suspicious for Malignancy” Determined by Needle Core Biopsy

Authors: Mary F. Dillon, MB, Enda W. McDermott, MCh, Arnold D. Hill, MCh, Ann O’Doherty, MB, Niall O’Higgins, MCh, Cecily M. Quinn, MD

Published in: Annals of Surgical Oncology | Issue 2/2007

Login to get access

Abstract

Background

The optimum management of patients whose needle core biopsy (NCB) results are of “uncertain malignant potential” (B3) or “suspicious for malignancy” (B4) is unclear. This study correlates B3 and B4 NCB findings with excision histology to determine associated rates of malignancy.

Methods

All NCBs categorized as B3 or B4 were identified from a series of 3729 NCBs. Results of biopsies were reported as normal/nondiagnostic (B1), benign (B2), uncertain malignant potential (B3), suspicious but not diagnostic of malignancy (B4), or malignant (B5) according to the B classification system. B3 lesions included atypical intraductal epithelial proliferations (AIEPs), lobular neoplasia, papillary lesions, radial scars, and potential phyllodes tumors. Histological concordance between NCB and excision specimen was analyzed.

Results

A total of 211 B3 lesions and 51 B4 lesions were identified during the study period. The open biopsy rate after a B3/B4 finding was 86% (n = 226). The overall rate of malignancy for B3 lesions after excision was 21%. The B3 lesion-specific rates of malignancy were 6% for radial scars, 14% for papillomas, 35% for AIEP, and 44% for lobular neoplasia. Of the patients with a B4 categorization, 90% (44 of 49) were diagnosed with carcinoma after surgery. Those that were “suspicious for ductal carcinoma-in-situ” and “suspicious for invasion” correlated accurately with excision findings in 81% and 89% of patients, respectively.

Conclusions

Management of lesions in the B3 categorization must be tailored to the patient because the specific lesion types are associated with highly variable rates of malignancy. A repeat biopsy or a therapeutic wide local excision should be undertaken in lesions with a B4 NCB categorization because such lesions are associated with a particularly high risk of malignancy at excision.
Literature
2.
go back to reference Dillon MF, Hill AD, Quinn CM, et al. The accuracy of ultrasound, stereotactic and clinical core biopsies in the diagnosis of breast cancer with an analysis of false negative cases. Ann Surg 2005; 242:701–7PubMedCrossRef Dillon MF, Hill AD, Quinn CM, et al. The accuracy of ultrasound, stereotactic and clinical core biopsies in the diagnosis of breast cancer with an analysis of false negative cases. Ann Surg 2005; 242:701–7PubMedCrossRef
3.
go back to reference Doyle JM, O’Doherty A, Coffrey L, et al. Can the radiologist accurately predict the adequacy of sampling when performing ultrasound-guided core biopsy of BI-RADS category 4 and 5 lesions detected on screening mammography? Clin Radiol 2005; 60:999–1005PubMedCrossRef Doyle JM, O’Doherty A, Coffrey L, et al. Can the radiologist accurately predict the adequacy of sampling when performing ultrasound-guided core biopsy of BI-RADS category 4 and 5 lesions detected on screening mammography? Clin Radiol 2005; 60:999–1005PubMedCrossRef
4.
go back to reference Dennison G, Anand R, Maker SH, et al. A prospective study of the use of fine needle aspiration cytology and core biopsy in the diagnosis of breast cancer. Breast J 2003; 9:491–3PubMedCrossRef Dennison G, Anand R, Maker SH, et al. A prospective study of the use of fine needle aspiration cytology and core biopsy in the diagnosis of breast cancer. Breast J 2003; 9:491–3PubMedCrossRef
5.
go back to reference Liberman L, Dershaw DD, Rosen PP, et al. Stereotactic 14-gauge breast biopsy: how many core biopsy specimens are needed? Radiology 1994; 192:793–5PubMed Liberman L, Dershaw DD, Rosen PP, et al. Stereotactic 14-gauge breast biopsy: how many core biopsy specimens are needed? Radiology 1994; 192:793–5PubMed
6.
go back to reference Brenner RJ, Fajardo L, Fisher PR, et al. Percutaneous core biopsy of the breast: effect of operator experience and number of samples on diagnostic accuracy. AJR Am J Roentgenol 1996; 166:341–6PubMed Brenner RJ, Fajardo L, Fisher PR, et al. Percutaneous core biopsy of the breast: effect of operator experience and number of samples on diagnostic accuracy. AJR Am J Roentgenol 1996; 166:341–6PubMed
7.
go back to reference Philpotts LE, Shaheen NA, Jain KS, et al. Uncommon high-risk lesions of the breast diagnosed at stereotactic core needle biopsy: clinical importance. Radiology 2000; 216:831–7PubMed Philpotts LE, Shaheen NA, Jain KS, et al. Uncommon high-risk lesions of the breast diagnosed at stereotactic core needle biopsy: clinical importance. Radiology 2000; 216:831–7PubMed
8.
go back to reference Jacobs TW, Connelly JL, Schnitt SJ. Non malignant lesions in breast core needles biopsies. To excise or not to excise? Am J Surg Pathol 2002; 26:1095–110PubMedCrossRef Jacobs TW, Connelly JL, Schnitt SJ. Non malignant lesions in breast core needles biopsies. To excise or not to excise? Am J Surg Pathol 2002; 26:1095–110PubMedCrossRef
9.
go back to reference Reynolds HE. Core needle biopsy of challenging benign breast conditions: a comprehensive literature review. AJR Am J Roentgenol 2000; 174:1245–50PubMed Reynolds HE. Core needle biopsy of challenging benign breast conditions: a comprehensive literature review. AJR Am J Roentgenol 2000; 174:1245–50PubMed
10.
go back to reference Frouge C, Tristant H, Guinebretiere JM, et al. Mammographic lesions suggestive of radial scars: microscopic findings in 40 cases. Radiology 1995; 195:623–5PubMed Frouge C, Tristant H, Guinebretiere JM, et al. Mammographic lesions suggestive of radial scars: microscopic findings in 40 cases. Radiology 1995; 195:623–5PubMed
11.
go back to reference Hassell P, Klein-Parker H, Worth A, et al. Radial sclerosing lesions of the breast: mammographic and pathologic correlation. Can Assoc Radiol J 1999; 50:370–5PubMed Hassell P, Klein-Parker H, Worth A, et al. Radial sclerosing lesions of the breast: mammographic and pathologic correlation. Can Assoc Radiol J 1999; 50:370–5PubMed
12.
go back to reference Brodie C, Doherty A, Quinn C. Fourteen-gauge needle core biopsy of mammographically evident radial scars. Is excision necessary? Cancer 2004; 100:652–3 Brodie C, Doherty A, Quinn C. Fourteen-gauge needle core biopsy of mammographically evident radial scars. Is excision necessary? Cancer 2004; 100:652–3
13.
go back to reference Sloane JP, Mayers MM. Carcinoma and atypical hyperplasia in radial scars and complex slerosing lesions: importance of lesion size and patient age. Histopathology 1993; 23:22–31CrossRef Sloane JP, Mayers MM. Carcinoma and atypical hyperplasia in radial scars and complex slerosing lesions: importance of lesion size and patient age. Histopathology 1993; 23:22–31CrossRef
14.
go back to reference Douglas AG, Pace DP. Pathology of R4 spiculated lesions in the breast screening programme. Histopathology 1997; 30:214–20CrossRef Douglas AG, Pace DP. Pathology of R4 spiculated lesions in the breast screening programme. Histopathology 1997; 30:214–20CrossRef
15.
go back to reference Cawson JN, Malara F, Kavanagh A, et al. Fourteen-gauge needle core biopsy of mammographically evident radial scars. Is excision necessary? Cancer 2003; 97:345–51 Cawson JN, Malara F, Kavanagh A, et al. Fourteen-gauge needle core biopsy of mammographically evident radial scars. Is excision necessary? Cancer 2003; 97:345–51
16.
go back to reference Brenner RG, Jackman RJ, Parker SH, et al. Percutaneous core needle biopsy of radial scars of the breast. When is excision necessary? AJR Am J Roentgenol 2002; 179:1179–84 Brenner RG, Jackman RJ, Parker SH, et al. Percutaneous core needle biopsy of radial scars of the breast. When is excision necessary? AJR Am J Roentgenol 2002; 179:1179–84
17.
go back to reference Carder PJ, Liston JC. Will the spectrum of lesions prompting a “B3” breast core biopsy increase the benign biopsy rate? J Clin Pathol 2003; 56:133–8PubMedCrossRef Carder PJ, Liston JC. Will the spectrum of lesions prompting a “B3” breast core biopsy increase the benign biopsy rate? J Clin Pathol 2003; 56:133–8PubMedCrossRef
18.
go back to reference Carder PJ, Garvican J, Haigh I, Liston JC. Needle core biopsy can reliably distinguish between benign and malignant papillary lesions of the breast. Histopathology 2005; 46:320–7PubMedCrossRef Carder PJ, Garvican J, Haigh I, Liston JC. Needle core biopsy can reliably distinguish between benign and malignant papillary lesions of the breast. Histopathology 2005; 46:320–7PubMedCrossRef
19.
go back to reference Ivan D, Selinko V, Sahin AA, et al. Accuracy of core needle biopsy diagnosis in assessing papillary breast lesions: histological predictors of malignancy. Mod Pathol 2004; 17:165–71PubMedCrossRef Ivan D, Selinko V, Sahin AA, et al. Accuracy of core needle biopsy diagnosis in assessing papillary breast lesions: histological predictors of malignancy. Mod Pathol 2004; 17:165–71PubMedCrossRef
20.
go back to reference Rosen EL, Bentley RC, Baker JA, et al. Imaging-guided core needle biopsy of papillary lesions of the breast. AJR Am J Roentgenol 2002; 179:1185–92PubMed Rosen EL, Bentley RC, Baker JA, et al. Imaging-guided core needle biopsy of papillary lesions of the breast. AJR Am J Roentgenol 2002; 179:1185–92PubMed
21.
go back to reference Liberman L, Bracero N, Vuolo MA, et al. Percutaneous large-core biopsy of papillary breast lesions. AJR Am J Roentgenol 1999; 172:331–7PubMed Liberman L, Bracero N, Vuolo MA, et al. Percutaneous large-core biopsy of papillary breast lesions. AJR Am J Roentgenol 1999; 172:331–7PubMed
22.
go back to reference Mercado CL, Harmele-Bena D, Singer C, et al. Papillary lesions of the breast: evaluation with stereotactic directional vacuum-assisted biopsy. Radiology 2001; 221:650–5PubMedCrossRef Mercado CL, Harmele-Bena D, Singer C, et al. Papillary lesions of the breast: evaluation with stereotactic directional vacuum-assisted biopsy. Radiology 2001; 221:650–5PubMedCrossRef
23.
go back to reference Rendels HE. Core needle biopsy of challenging benign breast conditions: a comprehensive literature review. AJR Am J Roentgenol 2000; 174:1245–50 Rendels HE. Core needle biopsy of challenging benign breast conditions: a comprehensive literature review. AJR Am J Roentgenol 2000; 174:1245–50
24.
go back to reference Foster MC, Helvie MA, Gregory NE, et al. Lobular carcinoma in situ or atypical lobular hyperplasia at core needle biopsy: is excisional biopsy necessary? Radiology 2004; 231:813–9PubMedCrossRef Foster MC, Helvie MA, Gregory NE, et al. Lobular carcinoma in situ or atypical lobular hyperplasia at core needle biopsy: is excisional biopsy necessary? Radiology 2004; 231:813–9PubMedCrossRef
26.
go back to reference Arpino G, Allred DC, Mohsin SK, et al. Lobular neoplasia on core needle biopsy—clinical significance. Cancer 2004; 101:242–50PubMedCrossRef Arpino G, Allred DC, Mohsin SK, et al. Lobular neoplasia on core needle biopsy—clinical significance. Cancer 2004; 101:242–50PubMedCrossRef
27.
go back to reference Page DL, Schuyler PA, Dupont WD, et al. Atypical lobular hyperplasia as a unilateral predictor of breast cancer risk: a retrospective cohort study. J Clin Pathol 2003; 361:125–9PubMedCrossRef Page DL, Schuyler PA, Dupont WD, et al. Atypical lobular hyperplasia as a unilateral predictor of breast cancer risk: a retrospective cohort study. J Clin Pathol 2003; 361:125–9PubMedCrossRef
28.
go back to reference Chuba PJ, Hamre MR, Yap J, et al. Bilateral risk for subsequent breast cancer after lobular carcinoma-in-situ: analysis of surveillance, epidemiology, and end results data. J Clin Pathol 2005; 23:534–41CrossRef Chuba PJ, Hamre MR, Yap J, et al. Bilateral risk for subsequent breast cancer after lobular carcinoma-in-situ: analysis of surveillance, epidemiology, and end results data. J Clin Pathol 2005; 23:534–41CrossRef
29.
go back to reference Kopans DB. Lobular neoplasia on core-needle biopsy—clinical significance. Cancer 2004; 101:2902–3PubMedCrossRef Kopans DB. Lobular neoplasia on core-needle biopsy—clinical significance. Cancer 2004; 101:2902–3PubMedCrossRef
30.
go back to reference Elsheikh TM, Silverman JF. Follow up surgical excision is indicated when breast core needle biopsies show atypical lobular hyperplasia or lobular carcinoma in situ: a correlative study of 33 patients with review of the literature. Am J Surg Pathol 2005; 29:534–43PubMedCrossRef Elsheikh TM, Silverman JF. Follow up surgical excision is indicated when breast core needle biopsies show atypical lobular hyperplasia or lobular carcinoma in situ: a correlative study of 33 patients with review of the literature. Am J Surg Pathol 2005; 29:534–43PubMedCrossRef
31.
go back to reference Komenaka IK, El-Tamer M, Pile-Spellman E, et al. Core needle biopsy as a diagnostic tool to differentiate phyllodes tumour from fibroadenoma. Arch Surg 2003; 138:987–90PubMedCrossRef Komenaka IK, El-Tamer M, Pile-Spellman E, et al. Core needle biopsy as a diagnostic tool to differentiate phyllodes tumour from fibroadenoma. Arch Surg 2003; 138:987–90PubMedCrossRef
32.
go back to reference Meyer JE, Smith DN, Lester SC, et al. Large-needle core biopsy: non malignant breast abnormalities evaluated with surgical excision or repeat biopsy. Radiology 1998; 206:717–20PubMed Meyer JE, Smith DN, Lester SC, et al. Large-needle core biopsy: non malignant breast abnormalities evaluated with surgical excision or repeat biopsy. Radiology 1998; 206:717–20PubMed
33.
go back to reference Dillon MF, Quinn CM, McDermott EW, et al. Needle core biopsy in the diagnosis of phyllodes neoplasm. Surgery (in press) Dillon MF, Quinn CM, McDermott EW, et al. Needle core biopsy in the diagnosis of phyllodes neoplasm. Surgery (in press)
34.
go back to reference Pinder SE, Ellis IO. Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) and atypical ductal hyperplasia (ADH)—current definitions and classification. Breast Cancer Res 2003; 5:254–7PubMedCrossRef Pinder SE, Ellis IO. Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) and atypical ductal hyperplasia (ADH)—current definitions and classification. Breast Cancer Res 2003; 5:254–7PubMedCrossRef
35.
go back to reference Dillon MF, Quinn CM, McDermott EW, et al. The diagnostic accuracy of core biopsy for ductal carcinoma in situ and its implications for surgical practice. J Clin Pathol 2006; 59:740–43PubMedCrossRef Dillon MF, Quinn CM, McDermott EW, et al. The diagnostic accuracy of core biopsy for ductal carcinoma in situ and its implications for surgical practice. J Clin Pathol 2006; 59:740–43PubMedCrossRef
36.
go back to reference Elston CW, Sloane JP, Amendoeira I, et al. Causes of inconsistency in diagnosing and classifying intraductal proliferations of the breast. European Commission Working Group on Breast Screening Pathology. Eur J Cancer 2000; 36:1769–72 Elston CW, Sloane JP, Amendoeira I, et al. Causes of inconsistency in diagnosing and classifying intraductal proliferations of the breast. European Commission Working Group on Breast Screening Pathology. Eur J Cancer 2000; 36:1769–72
37.
go back to reference Sloane JP, Amendoeira I, Apostolikas N, et al. Consistency achieved by 23 European pathologists form 12 countries in diagnosing breast disease and reporting prognostic features of carcinomas. Virchows Archiv 1999; 434:3–10PubMedCrossRef Sloane JP, Amendoeira I, Apostolikas N, et al. Consistency achieved by 23 European pathologists form 12 countries in diagnosing breast disease and reporting prognostic features of carcinomas. Virchows Archiv 1999; 434:3–10PubMedCrossRef
38.
go back to reference Tavassoli FA, Devilee M, eds. World Health Organisation: Classification of Tumours: Pathology and Genetics. Tumours of the Breast and Female Genital Organs. Lyon, France: IARC Press, 2003 Tavassoli FA, Devilee M, eds. World Health Organisation: Classification of Tumours: Pathology and Genetics. Tumours of the Breast and Female Genital Organs. Lyon, France: IARC Press, 2003
40.
go back to reference Van de Vijver MJ, Peterse H. The diagnosis and management of pre-invasive breast disease. Pathological diagnosis—problems with existing classifications. Breast Cancer Res 2003; 5:269–75PubMedCrossRef Van de Vijver MJ, Peterse H. The diagnosis and management of pre-invasive breast disease. Pathological diagnosis—problems with existing classifications. Breast Cancer Res 2003; 5:269–75PubMedCrossRef
41.
go back to reference Verkooijen HM, Peeters PHM, Buskens E, et al. Diagnostic accuracy of large core needle biopsy for non palpable breast disease: a meta-analysis. Br J Can 2000; 82:1017–21CrossRef Verkooijen HM, Peeters PHM, Buskens E, et al. Diagnostic accuracy of large core needle biopsy for non palpable breast disease: a meta-analysis. Br J Can 2000; 82:1017–21CrossRef
42.
go back to reference Rao A, Parker S, Ratzer E, et al. Atypical ductal hyperplasia of the breast diagnosed by 11-gauge directional vacuum-assisted biopsy. Am J Surg 2002; 184:534–7PubMedCrossRef Rao A, Parker S, Ratzer E, et al. Atypical ductal hyperplasia of the breast diagnosed by 11-gauge directional vacuum-assisted biopsy. Am J Surg 2002; 184:534–7PubMedCrossRef
43.
go back to reference Moore MM, Hargett CW 3rd, Hanks JB, et al. Association of breast cancer with the finding of atypical ductal hyperplasia at core breast biopsy. Ann Surg 1997; 225:726–31PubMedCrossRef Moore MM, Hargett CW 3rd, Hanks JB, et al. Association of breast cancer with the finding of atypical ductal hyperplasia at core breast biopsy. Ann Surg 1997; 225:726–31PubMedCrossRef
44.
go back to reference Harvey JM, Sterrett GF, Frost FA. Atypical ductal hyperplasia and atypia of uncertain significance in core biopsies from mammographically detected lesions: correlation with excision diagnosis. Pathology 2002; 34:410–6PubMedCrossRef Harvey JM, Sterrett GF, Frost FA. Atypical ductal hyperplasia and atypia of uncertain significance in core biopsies from mammographically detected lesions: correlation with excision diagnosis. Pathology 2002; 34:410–6PubMedCrossRef
45.
go back to reference Ely KA, Carter BA, Jensen RA, et al. Core biopsy of the breast with atypical ductal hyperplasia: a probabilistic approach to reporting. Am J Surg Pathol 2001; 25:1017–21PubMedCrossRef Ely KA, Carter BA, Jensen RA, et al. Core biopsy of the breast with atypical ductal hyperplasia: a probabilistic approach to reporting. Am J Surg Pathol 2001; 25:1017–21PubMedCrossRef
46.
go back to reference Darling ML, Smith DN, Lester SC, et al. Atypical ductal hyperplasia and ductal carcimoma in situ as revealed by large-core needle breast biopsy: results of surgical excision. AJR Am J Roentgenol 2001; 177:250–1 Darling ML, Smith DN, Lester SC, et al. Atypical ductal hyperplasia and ductal carcimoma in situ as revealed by large-core needle breast biopsy: results of surgical excision. AJR Am J Roentgenol 2001; 177:250–1
47.
go back to reference Lee AH, Denley HE, Pinder SE, et al. Excision biopsy findings of patients with breast needle core biopsies reported as suspicious for malignancy (B4) or lesion of uncertain malignant potential (B3). Histopathology 2003; 42:331–6PubMedCrossRef Lee AH, Denley HE, Pinder SE, et al. Excision biopsy findings of patients with breast needle core biopsies reported as suspicious for malignancy (B4) or lesion of uncertain malignant potential (B3). Histopathology 2003; 42:331–6PubMedCrossRef
Metadata
Title
Predictive Value of Breast Lesions of “Uncertain Malignant Potential” and “Suspicious for Malignancy” Determined by Needle Core Biopsy
Authors
Mary F. Dillon, MB
Enda W. McDermott, MCh
Arnold D. Hill, MCh
Ann O’Doherty, MB
Niall O’Higgins, MCh
Cecily M. Quinn, MD
Publication date
01-02-2007
Publisher
Springer-Verlag
Published in
Annals of Surgical Oncology / Issue 2/2007
Print ISSN: 1068-9265
Electronic ISSN: 1534-4681
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1245/s10434-006-9212-8

Other articles of this Issue 2/2007

Annals of Surgical Oncology 2/2007 Go to the issue