Core Needle Biopsy Rate for New Cancer Diagnosis in an Interdisciplinary Breast Center Evaluation of Quality of Care 2007-2008

Objective: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the rate of minimally invasive biopsy for diagnosis of breast cancer at an interdisciplinary breast center. Background: Percutaneous core needle biopsy (CNB) is optimal for minimizing surgery for the diagnosis of benign and malignant lesions of the breast while preserving surgery for definitive resection. Core needle biopsy increases patient satisfaction and reduces the cost of diagnosis and treatment. Despite the endorsement of CNB by many professional organizations, the literature documents underutilization. Methods: Institutional review board approval was obtained. An audit of a single institution's prospectively maintained cancer databases was performed for all breast cancers diagnosed in 2007 and 2008. Methods of diagnosis included image-guided and freehand-guided CNB, image-guided vacuum assisted needle biopsy, image-guided fine needle aspiration, punch biopsy, and open surgical biopsy. Results: Three hundred sixty new breast cancers were diagnosed in 2007 and 2008. Malignancy was diagnosed by minimally invasive techniques in 350/360 (97%) cancers. Conclusion: A very high rate of accurate tissue diagnosis of breast cancer by minimally invasive techniques is achievable.