Ultrasound‐guided core needle biopsy of breast masses: How many cores are necessary to diagnose cancer?

Abstract

It appears that 2 cores are sufficient to diagnose breast cancer in this study population assuming no technical error occurred in US guidance of the needle through the mass.

Analysis of false-negative results after US-guided 14-gauge core needle breast biopsy

“…In addition, patient compliance with the recommended follow-up schedule is essential if further delay in diagnosing missed malignant lesions is to be avoided [33]. The technique of US-guided CNB in breast is operatordependent and is characterised by a learning curve [34]. In this study, however, no statistically significant differences were found in false-negative rates among variables according to the experience of the radiologist.…”

Examining the sensitivity of ultrasound‐guided large core biopsy for invasive breast carcinoma in a population screening programme

“…It failed to demonstrate a significant relationship between needle visualisation and diagnostic accuracy. A larger study of 150 masses > 1 cm (101 malignant) found that two cores were sufficient, with an overall sensitivity of 90.1% for one core, 94.1% for two cores and no increase in accuracy for three to six cores …”

Accuracy of 16/18G core needle biopsy for ultrasound-visible breast lesions

“…Although the reports in Table 4 showed there were few missed malignant cases in the follow-up period (0 to 3 cases) [11-14], further study to follow patients with a benign CNB result who did not undergo excisional biopsy is necessary to know the actual sensitivities. Secondly, not every case was harvested with the same number of core samples, although a previous study indicated that two cores are sufficient to diagnose breast cancer, assuming that no technical error occurred [15]. Finally, this study did not make any direct comparison with 14G ultrasound-guided CNB.…”