Percutaneous needle biopsy for breast diagnosis: how do surgeons decide?

Gradual adoption of needle biopsy for breast lesions in a rural state

Background

Minimally invasive breast biopsy (MIBB) is the standard of care for the diagnosis of breast cancer, with consensus guidelines suggesting MIBB goals of 90% of total biopsies. In a previous study of patients in the rural state of Vermont, USA (population size of 640,000), rural breast cancer patients had open biopsies 42% of the time compared to 29% of urban breast cancer patients. The aim of this study was to assess overall population‐based biopsy trends in Vermont.

Methods

The Vermont Breast Cancer Surveillance System (VBCSS) was used to identify women receiving MIBB and excisional breast biopsies in Vermont. Patient zip code at the time of initial biopsy was used to determine the patient residence rurality by rural–urban commuting area codes (RUCA 2.0™).

Results

There were 9122 diagnostic episodes from 1999 to 2018. MIBB was the initial biopsy method in 7524 (82.5%) cases, while surgical excision was the initial biopsy method in 1598 (17.5%) cases. A linear trend fit estimated an increase of 1.3% per year (p < 0.001, 95% CI 1.1%–1.5%) in the fraction of patients undergoing MIBB. Patients living in rural areas were less likely to receive MIBB (78.5%) than those living in urban areas (94.9%), p < 0.001. Multivariate analysis showed that urban patients and those patients in the years 2014–2018 were more likely to receive MIBB (OR 5.00, 95% CI 4.13–6.05 [p < 0.05] and OR 4.41, 95%CI 3.68–5.28 [p < 0.05], respectively). The rate of MIBB for rural patients increased and met the 90% quality standard in 2013 and ultimately matched urban patient rates of MIBB in 2018.

Conclusions

For the first time, we show that MIBB usage is above 90% in the state of Vermont and that there no longer exist disparities in breast biopsies between urban and rural patients or rural/urban facilities in the state, overall.

Fine Needle Aspiration Combined With Matrix-assisted Laser Desorption Ionization Time-of-Flight/Mass Spectrometry to Characterize Lipid Biomarkers for Diagnosing Accuracy of Breast Cancer

BACKGROUND

Fine needle aspiration (FNA) cytology has been widely used for pathologic assessment of breast lesions. However, the examination suffers a risk of false-negative results owing to insufficient sample volumes, inaccurate sampling positions, nondefinitive cytologic features, or suboptimal cell preservation. One approach to improve its accuracy is using modern mass spectrometry to detect disease biomarkers, of which the tissue samples are collected through FNA.

METHODS

The biological compounds in the FNA tissue samples were extracted and characterized by matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight/mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF/MS). The results were further analyzed by principal component analysis. Distribution of lipid biomarkers on tissues was explored by imaging mass spectrometry.

RESULTS

Lipid profiles of the tissue samples collected by FNA were rapidly obtained through MALDI-TOF/MS analysis. Phosphatidylcholines and triacylglycerols were detected as the predominant compounds in cancerous and normal regions, respectively. The samples were clearly classified by principal component analysis, based on the differences in their lipid profiles. Different lipid patterns were clearly viewed through the molecular imaging of normal and tumorous regions of breast tissue samples.

CONCLUSION

The FNA-MALDI-TOF/MS approach can provide complementary information for pathological examinations and improve the accuracy of breast cancer diagnoses. Owing to the ease of operation and automation, it is possible to efficiently screen the lipid biomarkers in a large number of tissue samples by means of MALDI-TOF/MS.

Utilization of Percutaneous Needle Biopsy for Breast Diagnosis in a Comprehensive Breast Center: Implications for Development of Quality Indicators

INTRODUCTION

Percutaneous needle biopsy (PNB) is the standard of care for diagnosis of breast lesions. Rates of excisional biopsy for breast diagnosis in North America have been reported at approximately 35 %, although significant regional variation exists. A target rate of PNB for diagnosis of breast abnormalities is needed to facilitate quality improvement. We sought to describe the use of PNB in a referral practice, the clinical scenarios prompting PNB or surgical biopsy (SB), and the accuracy and rate of PNB to inform the ultimate development of a benchmark rate of PNB in breast diagnosis.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Female patients age 18-90 years, referred to Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, a large teaching hospital affiliated with the University of Toronto, with a breast lesion prompting tissue diagnosis with SB and/or PNB between 2002 and 2009 were studied. Each biopsied lesion was characterized by method of biopsy: PNB, SB, or PNB followed by SB. For each lesion, we collected data on patient demographics and breast cancer risk, reason for referral, imaging characteristics (breast imaging-reporting and data system classification, full description, final impression before biopsy), and pathology from each biopsy method. We report concordance between the final impression pre-biopsy and the PNB diagnosis with final surgical diagnosis where applicable.

RESULTS

One thousand and twenty-six lesions were biopsied, 987 (96 %) with PNB. The benign:malignant ratio for the entire cohort was 1.2:1. Final impression was concordant with final pathology in 674/862 (78 %) and PNB diagnosis was concordant with SB pathology in 487/556 (88 %). The reasons for SB without PNB were required pathologic evaluation of the entire lesion (n = 19), patient choice (n = 5), other biopsy technique used (n = 6), technical (n = 4), planned mastectomy (n = 3), and enlarging mass (n = 2). 155/559 (28 %) of lesions without evidence of malignancy on PNB ultimately underwent SB. Papillary lesions and radial scars were more likely to undergo SB with or without prior PNB. Lesions deemed to be suspicious or malignant on final impression were more likely to be excised after a benign diagnosis at PNB.

CONCLUSION

The vast majority of lesions requiring tissue diagnosis can be accurately diagnosed with PNB. Benchmarks for rates of PNB of 90 % or greater may be considered for performance measurement in appropriate populations.

How do surgeons approach breast cancer surgery in Turkey? A national survey

BACKGROUND

The aim of this study was to investigate the experience, practice and approaches of general surgeons in relation to the treatment of breast cancer in Turkey.

METHODS

A survey was conducted between November 2012 and February 2013 with 453 general surgeons who claimed to perform breast surgery. Initial and most preferred approaches for breast cancer surgery and demographic features of participants were questioned. Initial approaches of surgeons for a suspected breast mass were assessed with a clinical scenario.

RESULTS

A total of 12.6 % of practicing general surgeons in Turkey responded to the survey. A multidisciplinary assessment was employed by 57.2 % of participants. The most frequently used diagnostic tool was needle biopsies (64.9 %) and the most frequently performed surgery for early stage cancers was breast-conserving surgery (72.2 %). The initial approach for locally advanced breast cancer was neoadjuvant chemotherapy (59.8 %) and mastectomy for metastatic cancer (22.7 %). Sentinel lymph node biopsies were utilized by 59.2 % of participants by different methods in appropriate cases. Oncoplastic breast surgery was performed by 9.0 % of participants, frequently or constantly. The surgeons' initial approaches for the clinical scenario were imaging (56.7 %) and biopsy (40.6 %).

CONCLUSIONS

Although there are efforts to improve up-to-date approaches towards breast cancer surgery by surgeons, currently there are significant inadequacies for evidence-based medicine practices.

Surgeons' Approaches and Professional Perspectives on Breast Masses: A National Survey in Turkey

OBJECTIVE

General surgeons' approaches to breast masses in their daily practices and their perspectives for issues on breast diseases and breast surgery are investigated through a survey.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Answers of 524 general surgeons for the survey "Approach to breast diseases and breast surgery" between November 2012 and February 2013 were assessed. Demographic features, approaches to the breast masses, and answers for the clinical scenerios of surgeons were questioned. Surgeons were asked about management of breast cancer and the future role of surgeons for oncoplastic breast surgery and breast diseases.

RESULTS

Participants were representing 14.6% of all general surgeons in Turkey. The survey revealed that breast diseases are the most common cause for admission in general surgery outpatient clinics. Needle biopsies were employed by 241 (60%) respondents. Three hundred and seventy-one (71%) participants indicated that breast cancer management could be accurately conducted by the general surgeons. Two hundred and seventy-three (52%) respondents think that oncoplastic breast surgery should be performed by a general surgeon and 241 (41%) respondents predict that the role of general surgeons for breast diseases and breast surgery will decrease in the future.

CONCLUSION

Basic approaches towards breast masses need to be improved in our country despite the highest frequency of breast diseases in outpatient admissions. The views and opinions of surgeons on breast diseases and the course of breast surgery in different regions and different communities need to be defined and clarified.

Core needle biopsy of breast cancer tumors increases distant metastases in a mouse model

INTRODUCTION: Incisional biopsies, including the diagnostic core needle biopsy (CNB), routinely performed before surgical excision of breast cancer tumors are hypothesized to increase the risk of metastatic disease. In this study, we experimentally determined whether CNB of breast cancer tumors results in increased distant metastases and examine important resultant changes in the primary tumor and tumor microenvironment associated with this outcome. METHOD: To evaluate the effect of CNB on metastasis development, we implanted murine mammary 4T1 tumor cells in BALB/c mice and performed CNB on palpable tumors in half the mice. Subsequently, emulating the human scenario, all mice underwent complete tumor excision and were allowed to recover, with attendant metastasis development. Tumor growth, lung metastasis, circulating tumor cell (CTC) levels, variation in gene expression, composition of the tumor microenvironment, and changes in immunologic markers were compared in biopsied and non-biopsied mice. RESULTS: Mice with biopsied tumors developed significantly more lung metastases compared to non-biopsied mice. Tumors from biopsied mice contained a higher frequency of myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) accompanied by reduced CD4 + T cells, CD8 + T cells, and macrophages, suggesting biopsy-mediated development of an increasingly immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment. We also observed a CNB-dependent up-regulation in the expression of SOX4, Ezh2, and other key epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) genes, as well as increased CTC levels among the biopsy group. CONCLUSION: CNB creates an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment, increases EMT, and facilitates release of CTCs, all of which likely contribute to the observed increase in development of distant metastases.

Evaluation of office ultrasound usage among Australian and New Zealand breast surgeons

BACKGROUND

Surgeon performed ultrasound (US) is being increasingly embraced by breast surgeons worldwide as an integral part of patient assessment. The extent of its application within Australia and New Zealand is not well documented. The present study aimed to evaluate its current usage patterns and to determine suitable future training models.

METHODS

An online survey was sent to members of Breast Surgeons of Australia and New Zealand (BreastSurgANZ) between July and September 2010, with emphases on practice demographics, access to US equipment, usage, biopsy patterns, and training.

RESULTS

Of the 126 surveys sent, 59 were returned. The majority of respondents were metropolitan based (64 %), worked in both public and private sectors (71 %), and practiced endocrine or general surgery (85 %), as well as breast surgery. A preponderance of surgeons had access to equipment (63 %), performed at least 1 US monthly (63 %), but did not perform regular guided biopsies. Rural practice did not affect access or usage patterns. Most respondents underwent structured US training (73 %), which was associated with greater US and biopsy usage, biopsy complexity, intraoperative applications, and cross discipline applications (p < 0.03). Most surgeons favored a structured training program for future trainees (83 %).

CONCLUSIONS

The majority of breast surgeons from Australia and New Zealand have adopted office US to varying degrees. Geographic variation did not lead to access inequity and variation in scanning patterns. Formal US training may result in a wider scope of clinical applications by increasing operator confidence and is the preferred model within a specialist breast surgical curriculum.

How can diagnostic assessment programs be implemented to enhance inter-professional collaborative care for cancer?

BACKGROUND

Inter-professional collaborative care (ICC) for cancer leads to multiple system, organizational, professional, and patient benefits, but is limited by numerous challenges. Empirical research on interventions that promote or enable ICC is sparse so guidance on how to achieve ICC is lacking. Research shows that ICC for diagnosis could be improved. Diagnostic assessment programs (DAPs) appear to be a promising model for enabling ICC. The purpose of this study was to explore how DAP structure and function enable ICC, and whether that may be associated with organizational and clinical outcomes.

METHODS

A case study approach will be used to explore ICC among eight DAPs that vary by type of cancer (lung, breast), academic status, and geographic region. To describe DAP function and outcomes, and gather information that will enable costing, recommendations expressed in DAP standards and clinical guidelines will be assessed through retrospective observational study. Data will be acquired from databases maintained by participating DAPs and the provincial cancer agency, and confirmed by and supplemented with review of medical records. We will conduct a pilot study to explore the feasibility of estimating the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio using person-level data from medical records and other sources. Interviews will be conducted with health professionals, staff, and referring physicians from each DAP to learn about barriers and facilitators of ICC. Qualitative methods based on a grounded approach will be used to guide sampling, data collection and analysis.

DISCUSSION

Findings may reveal opportunities for unique structures, interventions or tools that enable ICC that could be developed, implemented, and evaluated through future research. This information will serve as a formative needs assessment to identify the nature of ongoing or required improvements, which can be directly used by our decision maker collaborators, and as a framework by policy makers, cancer system managers, and DAP managers elsewhere to strategically plan for and implement diagnostic cancer services.

Rates and indications for surgical breast biopsies in a community-based health system

BACKGROUND

High rates of surgical breast biopsies in community hospitals have been reported but may misrepresent actual practice.

METHODS

Patient-level data from 5,757 women who underwent breast biopsies in a large integrated health system were evaluated to determine biopsy types, rates, indications, and diagnoses.

RESULTS

Between 2008 and 2010, 6,047 breast biopsies were performed on 5,757 women. Surgical biopsy was the initial diagnostic procedure in 16% (n = 942) of women overall and in 6% (72 of 1,236) of women with newly diagnosed invasive breast cancer. Invasive breast cancer was diagnosed in 72 women (8%) undergoing surgical biopsy compared with 1,164 (24%) undergoing core needle biopsy (P < .001, age adjusted). Main indications for surgical biopsies included symptomatic abnormalities, technical challenges, and patient choice.

CONCLUSIONS

Surgical biopsy was the initial diagnostic procedure in 16% of women with breast abnormalities, comparable with rates at academic centers. Rates could be improved by more careful consideration of indications.

How can we improve cancer care? A review of interprofessional collaboration models and their use in clinical management

BACKGROUND

Multimodal cancer care requires collaboration among different professionals in various settings. Practice guidelines provide little direction on how this can best be achieved. Research shows that collaborative cancer management is limited, and challenged by numerous issues. The purpose of this research was to describe conceptual models of collaboration, and analyze how they have been applied in the clinical management of cancer patients.

METHODS

A review of the literature was performed using a two-phase meta-narrative approach. The first phase involved searching for conceptual models of collaboration. Their components and limitations were summarized. The second phase involved targeted searching for empirical research on evaluation of these concepts in the clinical management of cancer patients. Data on study objective, design, and findings were tabulated, and then summarized according to collaborative model and phase of clinical care to identify topics warranting further research.

RESULTS

Conceptual models for teamwork, interprofessional collaboration, integrated care delivery, interorganizational collaboration, continuity of care, and case management were described. All concepts involve two or more health care professionals that share patient care goals and interact on a continuum from consultative to integrative, varying according to extent and nature of interaction, degree to which decision making is shared, and the scope of patient management (medical versus holistic). Determinants of positive objective and subjective patient, team and organizational outcomes common across models included system or organizational support, team structure and traits, and team processes. Twenty-two studies conducted in ten countries examining these concepts for cancer care were identified. Two were based on an explicit model of collaboration. Many health professionals function through parallel or consultative models of care and are not well integrated. Few interventions or strategies have been applied to promote models that support collaboration.

CONCLUSIONS

Ongoing development, implementation and evaluation of collaborative cancer management, in the context of both practice and research, would benefit from systematic planning and operationalization. Such an approach is likely to improve patient, professional and organizational outcomes, and contribute to a collective understanding of collaborative cancer care.

Preoperative cytological and histological diagnosis of breast lesions: A critical review

BACKGROUND

Non-operative pathology diagnoses constitute an essential part of the work-up of breast lesions. With fine needle aspiration (FNA) and core needle biopsy (CNB) both having unique advantages, there is an increasing acceptance of CNB. This paper aims to outline the scientific basis of this trend. Additionally, we provide an update on novel techniques that derive cytological specimens from CNB (i.e., touch imprint (TI) and core wash (CW) cytology) in an attempt to get the best of both worlds.

METHODS

In addition to using the authors' experience, we performed a search of the Medline database combining the search terms "breast cancer diagnosis", "core needle biopsy", "fine needle aspiration", "touch imprint cytology", "core wash cytology" and "complications". We defined a conclusive non-operative diagnosis as "malignant" in lesions that were malignant on follow-up and "benign" in lesions that were benign on follow-up.

RESULTS

CNB was more often conclusive than FNA in benign and malignant lesions in 4 prospective studies. Although the more rapid diagnoses by FNA result in less patient anxiety during diagnostic work-up, CNB allows for fairly reliable estimation of invasion, histological type, grade, and receptor expression. CW and TI cytology seem promising techniques with conclusiveness rates that are roughly comparable to that of FNA.

CONCLUSIONS

All new suspicious breast lesions require careful non-operative investigation by CNB. However, additional cytological assessment by FNA can still be useful as a same-day diagnosis decreases patient anxiety and facilitates surgical treatment planning. TI and CW cytology techniques are promising same-day diagnosis modalities.