Epithelial displacement during breast needle core biopsy causes diagnostic difficulties in subsequent surgical excision specimens

• Published in: Journal of clinical pathology Vol. 60; no. 4; pp. 373 - 376
• Main Authors: Phelan, Sine, O’Doherty, Ann, Hill, Arnold, Quinn, Cecily M
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London BMJ Publishing Group Ltd and Association of Clinical Pathologists 01.04.2007; BMJ; BMJ Publishing Group LTD; BMJ Group
• Subjects: Aged; Biological and medical sciences; Biopsy; Biopsy, Needle - adverse effects; Breast Neoplasms - pathology; Breast Neoplasms - surgery; Calcification; Carcinoma, Ductal, Breast - pathology; Carcinoma, Ductal, Breast - surgery; Carcinoma, Intraductal, Noninfiltrating - pathology; Carcinoma, Intraductal, Noninfiltrating - surgery; CK IHC; Classification; cytokeratin immunohistochemistry; DCIS; ductal carcinoma in situ; Epithelial Cells - pathology; Female; Gangrene; Humans; IDC; invasive ductal carcinoma; Investigative techniques, diagnostic techniques (general aspects); Lymphatic system; Mastectomy; Medical sciences; Metastasis; Middle Aged; NCB; needle core biopsy; Neoplasm Invasiveness; Neoplasm Seeding; Original; Pathology. Cytology. Biochemistry. Spectrometry. Miscellaneous investigative techniques; sentinel lymph node biopsy; SLNB; Surgery; Tumors; wide local excision; WLE; Anatomic pathology; Surgical specimen; Excision; Biopsy; Needle; Breast; Diagnosis; Mammary gland; Displacement
• ISSN: 0021-9746; 1472-4146
• DOI: 10.1136/jcp.2006.036996

Background: The use of needle core biopsy (NCB) as part of triple assessment for non-operative evaluation and diagnosis of breast lesions is now routine practice. Trauma to breast tissue during NCB may result in displacement of breast epithelium and may lead to diagnostic difficulty in subsequent excision specimens. Methods: The cases of seven mammographically detected breast lesions in which epithelial displacement due to NCB was identified and caused problems in confirmation of tumour size, assessment of surgical margins, and interpretation of possible invasive carcinoma and lymphovascular invasion are reported here. Conclusion: Previous observations that epithelial displacement is more likely to occur when the interval between NCB and surgical excision is short are supported.