Contemporary indications for diagnostic open biopsy in women assessed for screen-detected breast lesions: A ten-year, single institution series of 814 consecutive cases

High-risk and selected benign breast lesions diagnosed on core needle biopsy: Evidence for and against immediate surgical excision

The vast majority of image-detected breast abnormalities are diagnosed by percutaneous core needle biopsy (CNB) in contemporary practice. For frankly malignant lesions diagnosed by CNB, the standard practice of excision and multimodality therapy have been well-defined. However, for high-risk and selected benign lesions diagnosed by CNB, there is less consensus on optimal patient management and the need for immediate surgical excision. Here we outline the arguments for and against the practice of routine surgical excision of commonly encountered high-risk and selected benign breast lesions diagnosed by CNB. The entities reviewed include atypical ductal hyperplasia, atypical lobular hyperplasia, lobular carcinoma in situ, intraductal papillomas, and radial scars. The data in the peer-reviewed literature confirm the benefits of a patient-centered, multidisciplinary approach that moves away from the reflexive "yes" or "no" for routine excision for a given pathologic diagnosis.

Architectural Distortion on Digital Breast Tomosynthesis: Management Algorithm and Pathological Outcome

Architectural distortion on digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT) can occur due to benign and malignant causes. With DBT, there is an increase in the detection of architectural distortion compared with 2D digital mammography, and the positive predictive value is high enough to justify tissue sampling when imaging findings are confirmed. Workup involves supplemental DBT views and ultrasound, with subsequent image-guided percutaneous biopsy using the modality on which it is best visualized. If architectural distortion is subtle and/or questionable on diagnostic imaging, MRI may be performed for problem solving, with subsequent biopsy of suspicious findings using MRI or DBT guidance, respectively. If no suspicious findings are noted on MRI, a six-month follow-up DBT may be performed. On pathology, malignant cases are noted in 6.8%-50.7% of the cases, most commonly due to invasive ductal carcinoma, followed by invasive lobular carcinoma. Radial scars are the most common benign cause, with stromal fibrosis and sclerosing adenosis being much less common. As there is an increase in the number of benign pathological outcomes for architectural distortion on DBT compared with 2D digital mammography, concordance should be based on the level of suspicion of imaging findings. As discordant cases have upgrade rates of up to 25%, surgical consultation is recommended for discordant radiologic-pathologic findings.

Risk for Upgrade to Malignancy After Breast Core Needle Biopsy Diagnosis of Lobular Neoplasia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

PURPOSE

Lobular neoplasia (LN) detected on breast core needle biopsy is frequently managed with surgical excision because of concern for undersampled malignancy. The authors performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to estimate the risk for upgrade to malignancy in the setting of imaging-concordant classic LN diagnosed on core biopsy.

METHODS

PubMed and Embase were searched for original articles published from 1998 to 2020 that reported rates of upgrade to malignancy for classic LN, including atypical lobular hyperplasia (ALH) and classic lobular carcinoma in situ (LCIS). Two reviewers extracted study data and assessed the following quality criteria: exclusion of variant LCIS, exclusion of imaging-discordant lesions, and outcome reporting for ≥70% of lesions. For studies meeting all criteria, pooled risks for upgrade to any malignancy (invasive carcinoma or ductal carcinoma in situ) and invasive malignancy for all LN, ALH, and LCIS were estimated using random-effects models.

RESULTS

For 65 full-text articles included in the review, the risk for upgrade to any malignancy ranged from 0% to 45%. Among the 16 studies that met all quality criteria for the meta-analysis, pooled risks for upgrade to any malignancy were 3.1% (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.8%-5.2%) for all LN, 2.5% (95% CI, 1.6%-3.9%) for ALH, and 5.8% (95% CI, 2.9%-11.3%) for LCIS. Risks for upgrade to invasive malignancy were 1.3% (95% CI, 0.7%-2.4%) for all LN, 0.4% (95% CI, 0.0%-4.2%) for ALH, and 3.5% (95% CI, 2.0%-5.9%) for LCIS.

CONCLUSIONS

The risk for upgrade to malignancy for LN found on breast biopsy is low. Imaging surveillance can likely be offered as an alternative to surgical management for LN, particularly for ALH.

Upgrade Rate of Percutaneously Diagnosed Pure Atypical Ductal Hyperplasia: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of 6458 Lesions

Background Management of percutaneously diagnosed pure atypical ductal hyperplasia (ADH) is an unresolved clinical issue. Purpose To calculate the pooled upgrade rate of percutaneously diagnosed pure ADH. Materials and Methods A search of MEDLINE and EMBASE databases was performed in October 2018. Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses, or PRISMA, guidelines were followed. A fixed- or random-effects model was used, along with subgroup and meta-regression analyses. The Newcastle-Ottawa scale was used for study quality, and the Egger test was used for publication bias. Results Of 521 articles, 93 were analyzed, providing data for 6458 ADHs (5911 were managed with surgical excision and 547 with follow-up). Twenty-four studies used core-needle biopsy; 44, vacuum-assisted biopsy; 21, both core-needle and vacuum-assisted biopsy; and four, unspecified techniques. Biopsy was performed with stereotactic guidance in 29 studies; with US guidance in nine, with MRI guidance in nine, and with mixed guidance in eight. Overall heterogeneity was high (I² = 80%). Subgroup analysis according to management yielded a pooled upgrade rate of 29% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 26%, 32%) for surgically excised lesions and 5% (95% CI: 4%, 8%) for lesions managed with follow-up (P < .001). Heterogeneity was entirely associated with surgically excised lesions (I² = 78%) rather than those managed with follow-up (I² = 0%). Most variability was explained by guidance and needle caliper (P = .15). At subgroup analysis of surgically excised lesions, the pooled upgrade rate was 42% (95% CI: 31%, 53%) for US guidance, 23% (95% CI: 19%, 27%) for stereotactic biopsy, and 32% (95% CI: 22%, 43%) for MRI guidance, with heterogeneity (52%, 63%, and 56%, respectively) still showing the effect of needle caliper. When the authors considered patients with apparent complete lesion removal after biopsy (subgroups in 14 studies), the pooled upgrade rate was 14% (95% CI: 8%, 23%). Study quality was low to medium; the risk of publication bias was low (P = .10). Conclusion Because of a pooled upgrade rate higher than 2% (independent of biopsy technique, needle size, imaging guidance, and apparent complete lesion removal), atypical ductal hyperplasia diagnosed with percutaneous needle biopsy should be managed with surgical excision. © RSNA, 2019 Online supplemental material is available for this article. See also the editorial by Brem in this issue.

Meta-analysis of upgrade rates in 3163 radial scars excised after needle core biopsy diagnosis

BACKGROUND

Since concurrent malignancy may be associated with radial scars (RS) in up to 45% of RS diagnosed on core biopsy, surgical excision is usually advised. Recent very low upgrade rates have caused a re-evaluation of the need for routine surgery. We aimed to find subsets of RS at such low risk of upgrade, as to render imaging surveillance a plausible alternative to surgery.

DESIGN

We performed a systematic review of the Pubmed, Cochrane and Embase databases, focusing on the following eligibility criteria: full papers, published after 1998, in English, included at least 5 RS, provided information on needle biopsy gauge and upgrade rates based on the excised lesion. For the meta-analysis, studies were grouped by the presence of histologic atypia and the core needle gauge. Study-specific and pooled upgrade rates were calculated for each subgroup.

RESULTS

49 studies that included 3163 RS with surgical outcomes are included. There were 217 upgrades to malignancies, 71 (32.7%) invasive and 144 (66.4%) DCIS. The random-effects pooled estimate was 7% (95% CI 5, 9%). Among the pre-planned subgroups, in RS assessed by 14G NCB the upgrade rates were: without atypia - 5% (95% CI 3, 8%), mixed or presence of atypia not specified - 15% (95% CI 10, 20%), with atypia - 29% (95% CI 20, 38%). For RS assessed by a mix of 8-16G cores the respective upgrade rates were 2% (95% CI 1, 4%), 12% (95% CI 6, 18%) and 11% (95% CI 3, 23%) and for RS assessed by 8-11 vacuum assisted biopsies 1% (95% CI 0, 4%), 5% (95% CI 0, 11%) and 18% for the one study of RS with atypia assessed by VAB. Surgery after VAB excision showed no upgrades. The difference across all subgroups was statistically significant.

CONCLUSION

When stratified by atypia and biopsy gauge, upgrade rates in RS are consistent and predictable. RS assessed by VABs and lacking atypia have a 1% (95% CI 0, 4%) upgrade rate to DCIS. Other groups have upgrade rates of 2-28%. This risk may be reduced by VAB excision. The results of this meta-analysis provide a decision aid and evidence-based selection criteria for surgery after a needle biopsy diagnosis of RS.

Oncoplastic approach to excisional breast biopsies: a randomized controlled, phase 2a trial

BACKGROUND

Oncoplastic surgery has been used in breast cancer patients for better cosmetic outcome over the last decades. The aim of this prospective randomized study is to show its place in excisional breast biopsy.

METHODS

An oncoplastic approach excision was compared with conventional excisional breast biopsies. The study included 80 patients, of whom half received oncoplastic intervention and half received the conventional. The primary endpoint was the cosmetic result. Patient, surgeon and independent observers rated the results on a four-point scale. Scores other than self-perceived were based on third-month medical photographs.

RESULTS

Between May 20, 2015 and April 27, 2016, 40 patients were randomly assigned to oncoplastic biopsy and 40 patients were assigned to conventional excisional biopsy. Median follow-up was 5.6 months (IQR 3.0-6.0). Self-perceived perfect scoring for general cosmetic outcome was found significantly higher after oncoplastic biopsy (73 0.5%) comparing with control group (32.4%) (p = 0.001). This impact did not change after adjusting patients for potential confounders. Margin clearance rates in malignant cases were comparable in both arms (p = 0.999); four patients in oncoplastic biopsy group (40%) and three patients in control group (33%) had positive margins.

CONCLUSIONS

The oncoplastic biopsy achieved better cosmetic results with similar surgical margin positivity rates when compared with conventional breast biopsy. It may be a better biopsy option used for patients requiring excisional breast biopsy.

Core Needle Biopsy of the Breast: An Evaluation of Contemporary Data

Benign and atypical lesions associated with breast cancer risk are often encountered in core needle biopsies (CNBs) of the breast. For these lesions, the rate of "upgrade" to carcinoma in excision specimens varies widely in the literature. Many CNB studies are limited by a lack of radiological-pathological correlation, consistent criteria for excision, and clinical follow-up for patients who forego excision. This article highlights contemporary diagnostic criteria and outcome data that would support an evidence-based approach to the management of these nonmalignant lesions of the breast diagnosed on CNB.

Active surveillance of women diagnosed with atypical ductal hyperplasia on core needle biopsy may spare many women potentially unnecessary surgery, but at the risk of undertreatment for a minority: 10-year surgical outcomes of 114 consecutive cases from a single center

A needle core biopsy diagnosis of atypical ductal hyperplasia is an indication for open biopsy. The launch of randomized clinical trials of active surveillance for low-risk ductal carcinoma in situ leads to the paradoxical situation of women with low-grade ductal carcinoma in situ being observed, whereas those with atypical ductal hyperplasia have surgery. If the malignancies diagnosed after surgery for atypical ductal hyperplasia are dominated by low-risk ductal carcinoma in situ, women with atypical ductal hyperplasia may also be considered for surveillance. This 10-year prospective observational study includes women diagnosed with atypical ductal hyperplasia on core biopsy after screening mammography. We retrieved their clinical, imaging and histologic data and carried out a blind review of core biopsy histology, sub-classifying the atypical ductal hyperplasia along a spectrum from hyperplasia to ductal carcinoma in situ. Using the final surgical pathology data, we calculated: (1) The proportion and grades of ductal carcinoma in situ and invasive cancers diagnosed at open biopsy. (2) The histologic extent of the malignancy at surgery. (3) The biomarker profile and nodal status of any invasive cancers. (4) Ascertained any independent predictors of (i) any malignancy, (ii) high-risk malignancy, defined in this study as invasive cancer, or high-grade ductal carcinoma in situ, or intermediate grade ductal carcinoma in situ with any necrosis. (5) Extrapolated the above to simulate active surveillance for women with screen-detected atypical ductal hyperplasia. Between January 2005 and December 2014, 114 women, mean age 59 years (range 40-79 years) were included. Surgical pathology, available in 110 (97%), confirmed malignancy in 46 (40%). All 46 malignant cases had ductal carcinoma in situ, accompanied by invasive carcinoma in 9 (8%) women. Together, 21 (19%) women had either invasive cancer (9%), high-grade ductal carcinoma in situ (6%), or necrotizing, intermediate grade ductal carcinoma in situ (6%). Only one of nine invasive breast cancers was grade 1, 3 were multifocal, all were ≤8 mm, node negative, and ER positive but two were HER2 amplified. The mean extent of the ductal carcinoma in situ in any one specimen was 19.8 mm, median 13 mm, range 2-110 mm. Overall 32 women, 29% of the whole cohort and 70% of those 46 with malignancy, required further surgery, including mastectomy in 12 (11%). A multivariable model for predicting the likelihood of any malignancy showed a statistically significant association only with the post review subtype of atypical ductal hyperplasia, adjusting for lesion size. Independent predictors of high-risk malignancy (invasive cancer or non-low-grade ductal carcinoma in situ) were not identified. If active surveillance is adopted for screen-detected atypical ductal hyperplasia diagnosed on core biopsy, 60% of women will avoid unnecessary surgery and a further 24% would meet eligibility criteria for ductal carcinoma in situ surveillance trials. However, 18% of women will have undiagnosed invasive breast cancer or non-low-risk ductal carcinoma in situ. These women with high-risk lesions are not reliably identified pre-operatively.

Breast cancer risk associated with atypical hyperplasia and lobular carcinoma in situ initially diagnosed on core-needle biopsy

BACKGROUND

Breast cancer risk estimates for atypical lesions are based primarily on case-control studies of patients with open biopsies. The authors report the cumulative breast cancer incidence after a core biopsy diagnosis of atypical hyperplasia (ductal or lobular) or lobular carcinoma in situ.

METHODS

A cohort study with central pathology review was conducted on 393 patients who had core biopsy diagnoses of atypical hyperplasia and lobular carcinoma in situ from 1995 through 2010. Follow-up was available for 255 of 264 patients (97%) at a median of 87 months (range, 3-236 months).

RESULTS

There were 212 patients (54%) who were not upgraded on excision and had no personal history of breast cancer. Of these, 21 of 212 (9.9%) developed breast cancer, including 15 invasive carcinomas, 4 ductal carcinomas in situ, 1 pleomorphic lobular carcinoma in situ, and 1 unknown type. The prior core biopsy diagnoses were atypical ductal hyperplasia for 11 patients (52%) and atypical lobular hyperplasia/lobular carcinoma in situ in the remaining 10 patients (48%). The number of atypical foci in the core biopsy was not significantly associated with the subsequent development of breast cancer (P = .42). Of the 15 invasive carcinomas, 11 (73%) were ipsilateral, 11 (73%) were pathologic T1 tumors, 5 (33%) were pathologic N1 tumors, 13 (87%) were estrogen receptor-positive, and 1 (7%) was amplified for human epidermal growth factor receptor 2.

CONCLUSIONS

In patients who had an initial diagnosis of atypical hyperplasia or lobular carcinoma in situ on core biopsy, the 7-year cumulative breast cancer incidence was 9.9%. Most tumors were ipsilateral, stage I, estrogen receptor-positive, invasive carcinomas. The current data support close clinical and radiologic follow-up for more than 5 years in this patient population. Cancer 2018;124:459-65. © 2017 American Cancer Society.