Abstract:

Objective

To investigate the clinical significance of ultrasound-guided vacuum-assisted biopsy for BI-RADS grade 3 nonpalpable breast lesion (NPBL).

Methods

The clinical, imaging and histopathologic data of 542 cases of NPBL classified as grade 3 in BI-RADS and undergoing vacuum-assisted ultrasound-guided biopsy in our hospital from January 2007 to December 2010 were retrospectively analyzed. The patients were divided into group A (biopsy within 3 months after first ultrasonic diagnosis) and group B (biopsy after 6-month follow-up). The malignant rates and tumor stage were compared between the two groups.

Results

In all 542 patients, 5 were proved to be malignant (0.92%). The malignant rate in the age group of 50-59 years was 9.68%(3/31), which was significantly higher than that in other age groups (20-29 years, 0; 30-39 years, 0.40%;40-49 years,0.57%;60-71 years,0). Four patients presented malignant lesion (0.91%) in group A,1 patient (0.93%) in group B, and no significant difference was showed between the two groups(P＞0.05). Malignant cases in two groups showed similar tumor size and TNM stage.

Conclusions

NPBL of BI-RADS grade 3 has low malignant rate and biopsy in follow-up is safe for those patients. However, more attention should be paid for the patients ≥50 years with BI-RADS grade 3 NPBL and clinical biopsy is recommended.

Key words: breast neoplasms, ultrasonography, biopsy, nonpalpable breast lesions