A survey of current UK practice regarding the biopsy of clinically and radiologically benign breast masses in young women

A survey of current UK practice regarding the biopsy of clinically and radiologically benign breast masses in young women
L.J. Hamilton, E.J. Cornford, A.J. Maxwell
Clinical Radiology 2011 66;8:738-741

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Aim: To determine current practice in the UK of needle sampling of clinically and radiologically benign breast masses in young women.

A questionnaire regarding needle sampling practice in young women with clinically and radiologically benign breast masses was sent to 481 members of the Royal College of Radiologists Breast Group. This included questions on whether a written protocol is in place to allow avoidance of biopsy, and if so, the clinical and radiological criteria used.

Responses were available for analysis from 80 units. Forty-two (53%) units had no written policy in place, whilst 38 (47%) adhered to a written policy. Of those with a policy, an age criterion for safe avoidance of biopsy was present in 36 out of the 38 units (95%). The age limit used ranged from <25 years to <35 years. Twenty-seven (71%) written policies included clinical criteria but only four (10%) policies included a size criterion. Radiological criteria were present in all policies and the majority (74%) adhered to full Stavros criteria. Seven units (18%) used a revised form of the Stavros criteria and three units used their own criteria.
Conclusion

There is little concordance between symptomatic breast clinics regarding the criteria for avoidance of breast biopsy in this young patient group. Given the very low incidence of breast carcinoma in women less than 25 years old it is considered safe and feasible to adopt a standardized protocol across the UK and avoid the often-unnecessary benign biopsies in these patients

Criteria for the safe avoidance of needle sampling in young women with solid breast masses

Criteria for the safe avoidance of needle sampling in young women with solid breast masses
A.J. Maxwell, J.M. Pearson
Clinical Radiology 2010 65;3:218-222

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Nine women with breast cancer, seven with phyllodes, and six with papillomas were found.

No delayed diagnoses in those who had ultrasound would have been made if the following criteria had been applied to avoid needle sampling:

• age less than 25 years
• no known risk factors for breast malignancy
• mass not rapidly enlarging
• smooth discrete mobile mass on clinical examination, or lesion impalpable
• well-defined homogeneously isoechoic or mildly hypoechoic solid mass
• less than 3 cm in greatest dimension
• ovoid shape, aligned parallel to the skin surface
• smooth or gently lobulated contour (two or three lobulations only; no microlobulation
• thin echogenic pseudocapsule
• no calcification
• no acoustic shadowing

Needle sampling could have been safely avoided in approximately two-thirds of the women reviewed below the age of 25 with a solid breast mass