Percutaneous core biopsy of nonpalpable breast lesions: utility and impact on cost of diagnosis

Abstract

Percutaneous image-guided core breast biopsy is faster, less invasive, less deforming, and less expensive than surgical biopsy for diagnosing nonpalpable breast lesions. Percutaneous biopsy may be performed using different imaging guidance modalities (e.g., stereotaxis or ultrasound) and different tissue acquisition devices (e.g., automated needles or vacuum-assisted biopsy probes). Stereotactic biopsy may be used for all lesion types (masses and calcifications). Stereotactic 14-gauge automated core biopsy spared a surgical procedure in 76-85% of cases, decreasing the cost of diagnosis by 40-56%. Annual national savings from use of stereotactic 14-gauge automated core biopsy rather than surgical biopsy for nonpalpable lesions would exceed 100 million dollars. Stereotactic 11-gauge vacuum-assisted biopsy yields significant improvement in diagnosis of calcifications and may be used in lesions that are not amenable to stereotactic 14-gauge automated core biopsy. Stereotactic 11-gauge vacuum-assisted biopsy spared a surgical procedure in 76% cases, decreasing cost of diagnosis by 20%. Use of stereotactic 11-gauge vacuum-assisted biopsy for calcifications and for nonpalpable masses not amenable to stereotactic 14-gauge automated core biopsy would yield annual national savings exceeding 50 million dollars. Ultrasound-guided biopsy, used primarily for masses, has several advantages including speed, comfort, lack of radiation exposure, and real-time needle visualization. Ultrasound-guided core biopsy spared a surgical procedure in 85% cases, decreasing the cost of diagnosis by 56%. Although both ultrasound-guided core biopsy and stereotactic biopsy are less expensive than surgery, cost savings are greater for ultrasound-guided core biopsy. An annual national savings over $50 million could be realized with the use of ultrasound-guided core biopsy for nonpalpable masses. Future work should include evaluating the emerging new technologies for percutaneous breast biopsy and optimizating the choice of biopsy method for different clinical scenarios. Society may benefit from cost reduction as women benefit from a faster, less invasive, and less deforming approach to diagnosis.