Mamography and core biopsy value in diagnosis of nonpalpable breast tumors

Valerijus Ostapenko, Tadas Mikalauskas, Saulius Bružas, Algimantas Mudėnas, Jonas Sabonis, Jonas Tutkus, Raimundas Meškauskas¹, Povilas Miliauskas, Algirdas Jackevičius, Laima Grinytė

Institute of Oncology, Vilnius University, ¹National Center of Pathology, Lithuania

Key words: breast cancer, mammography, core biopsy, quadrantectomy, mastectomy.

Summary. Nonpalpable breast tumors are of great importance in order to achieve early diagnosis and improve the treatment results of breast cancer. Three hundred and sixty six patients with such pathology were investigated at the Institute of Oncology, Vilnius University. The core biopsy was performed for all patients. Benign breast tumors were diagnosed to 260 patients and conservative treatment was administered to patients with benign breast disease. One hundred and six patients with diagnosed or suspected nonpalpable breast carcinoma underwent surgery. In 64 patients (63.7%) invasive or non-invasive breast carcinoma (0 and 1st stage – 71.9%) was diagnosed. The diagnostic algorithm of nonpalpable breast tumor was described. The techniques of surgery for nonpalpable breast tumors and the results of treatment are discussed.

Correspondence to V. Ostapenko, Institute of Oncology, Vilnius University, Santariškių 1, 08660 Vilnius, Lithuania. E-mail: v.ostapenko@takas.lt

Received 2 June 2004, accepted 30 September 2004