Asian Pacifc Journal of Cancer Prevention, Vol 15, 2014 5171 DOI:http://dx.doi.org/10.7314/APJCP.2014.15.13.5171 Stereotactic Vacuum-Assisted Core Biopsy Results for Non-Palpable Breast Lesions Asian Pac J Cancer Prev, 15 (13), 5171-5174 Introduction The current diagnostic approach to lesions detected in the breast involves the method of ultrasound-assisted biopsy. However, microcalcification clusters and parenchymal distortions detected in mammography cannot always be visualized in the ultrasound images. Therefore, a method of stereotactic vacuum-assisted core (SVC) biopsy has come into use for histopathologic diagnosis of these lesions (Tothova et al., 2013). Through the extensive use of mammography in screening for breast cancer, widespread national breast cancer screening programs, and the increase in breast cancer awareness, non-palpable suspicious lesions are being detected more frequently (NHS Breast Screening Programme, 2009; Dogan et al., 2012; Wang et al., 2012; Fouladi et al., 2013; Uyeturk et 1 Department of Radiology, 2 Department of Breast Surgery, 3 Department of Biostatistics, Istanbul Florence Nightingale Hospital, 4 Department of Radiation Oncology, Gayrettepe Florence Nightingale Hospital, 5 Department of Medical Oncology, Faculty of Medicine, Istanbul Bilim University, Istanbul, Turkey *For correspondence: flizagacayak@yahoo.com Abstract Background: The increase in breast cancer awareness and widespread use of mammographic screening has led to an increased detection of (non-palpable) breast cancers that cannot be discovered through physical examination. One of the methods used in the diagnosis of these cancers is vacuum-assisted core biopsy, which prevents a considerable number of patients from undergoing surgical procedures. The aim of this study was to present the results of stereotactic vacuum-assisted core biopsy for suspicious breast lesions. Materials and Methods: Files were retrospectively scanned and data on demographic, radiological and pathological fndings were recorded for patients who underwent stereotactic vacuum-assisted core biopsy due to suspicious mammographic fndings at the Interventional Radiology Centre of the Florence Nightingale Hospital between January 2010, and April 2013. Statistical analysis was carried out using Pearson’s Chi-square, continuity correction, and Fisher’s exact tests. Results: The mean age of the patients was 47 years (range: 36-70). Biopsies were performed due to BIRADS 3 lesions in 8 patients, BIRADS 4 lesions in 77 patients, and BIRADS 5 lesions in 3 patients. Mammography elucidated clusters of microcalcifcations in 73 patients (83%) and focal lesions (asymmetrical density, distortion) in 15 patients (17%). In terms of complications, 1 patient had a hematoma, and 2 patients had ecchymoses (3/88; 3.3%). The histopathologic results revealed benign lesions in 63 patients (71.6%) and malignant lesions in 25 patients (28.4%). The mean duration of the procedure was 37 minutes (range: 18-55). Although all of the BIRADS 3 lesions were benign, 22 (28.6%) of the BIRADS 4 lesions and all of the BIRADS 5 lesions were malignant. Among the malignant cases, 80% were in situ, and 20% were invasive carcinomas. These patients underwent surgery. Conclusions: In cases where non-palpable breast lesions are considered to be suspicious in mammography scans, the vacuum-assisted core biopsy method provides an accurate histopathologic diagnosis thus preventing a signifcant number of patients undergoing unnecessary surgical procedures. Keywords: Mammography - nonpalpable breast lesion - stereotactic vacuum - assisted core biopsy RESEARCH ARTICLE Stereotactic Vacuum-Assisted Core Biopsy Results for Non- Palpable Breast Lesions Filiz Agacayak 1 *, Alper Ozturk 2 , Atilla Bozdogan 3 , Derya Selamoglu 2 , Gul Alco 4 , Cetin Ordu 5 , Kezban Nur Pilanci 5 , Refk Killi 1 , Vahit Ozmen 2 al., 2013; Avci et al., 2014). Until a few years ago, surgical methods were used for histopathologic evaluation of such lesions that were invisible under ultrasonography. However, a greater number of these lesions can now be accurately diagnosed through the modern stereotactic vacuum-assisted core biopsy method, and thus surgical interventions can be minimized and inaccurate diagnoses can largely be prevented (NHS Breast Screening Programme & Association of Breast Surgery at BASO 2010). Further advantages of the SVC biopsy method in comparison with surgery are the short procedure duration, minimal invasiveness, and lower cost (Huang et al., 2014). The aim of this study is to present the results of the SVC biopsy technique in cases of suspicious breast lesions detected through mammography, and to investigate success and effcacy of the method.