New Option in Non Palpable Lesions (NPLs) of the Breast: Our Experience with Mammotome® System

Introduction: Screening mammography has allowed diagnosis of malignant lesions in preclinical stage, favouring mortality rate reduction and better conservative surgical techniques. The aim of our study is to value the accuracy of two diagnostic procedures in the management of NPLs of the breast: open biopsy and micro-histological biopsy with Mammotome. Methods: Data were collected about 182 patients with NPLs treated at our department from 2001 to 2005. 94 women (52%) received Mammotome biopsies, while 88 women (48%) were directly treated with open biopsies. 20 women of those treated with Mammotome (16 with an histological diagnosis of cancer or severe atypias and 4 with an inconclusive histology but with a suspicious mammography) were operated. Finally 108 women were surgically treated. Results: Histological findings of women at first treated with Mammotome core-biopsy and then operated revealed: 14 breast cancers, 5 fibrocystic diseases and 1 atypical ductal hyperplasia. Finally, 62 patients (34%) had a diagnosis of breast cancer. Nowaday we have noted only 3 breast cancer recurrences. Discussion: Micro-histological biopsy with Mammotome represents a valid procedure in the integrated diagnosis of NPLs of the breast and, at the same time, an efficient complement to open biopsy when there is indication for surgery.