Abstract
Objective: Suspicious microcalcifications detected in mammographic examinations may appear as early signs of breast malignancies. Microcalcifications that appear only on mammography and are not accompanied by any ultrasonographic mass should be excised after marking with a stereotactic wire, and pathological examination should be performed. In this study, we aimed to analyze the stereotactic biopsy results and share their findings.
Methods: Lesions with suspicious microcalcifications on mammography (Figure 1) and in which no mass image was detected in the ultrasonographic response were evaluated retrospectively between January 2016 and December 2022. Excision was applied to the patients after marking with mammography and stereotactic wire. Removal of the suspicious microcalcification area was confirmed by radiography of the specimen in all patients. Pathological examination results of the patients, whether re-excision was made, tumor diameter in cases with malignancy, and follow-up periods of the patients were evaluated.
Results: A total of 54 patients who underwent excision due to microcalcification were evaluated in the study. Malignancy was detected in 15 (27.7%) patients. The most common ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) was detected. Re-excision was performed in 4 (26.6%) patients, and mastectomy was performed in 2 (13.3%) patients with malignancy. The median tumor diameter of malignant lesions was 9 mm. The mean follow-up period of the patients was found to be 42.46+16.44 months.
Conclusion: Suspicious microcalcification areas detected in mammographic examinations, lack of ultrasonographic visibility, and biopsy with another minimally invasive method should be excised after marking with a stereotactic wire. This procedure is an effective method that allows early diagnosis of malignancies.