Incidence of Invasive Versus Non-invasive Carcinoma in Comparing Palpable and Non-palpable Solid Breast Lesions

Abstract.

A retrospective study was done of all patients with a suspicious mammographie breast lesion surgically biopsied in our institution within the last 5 years. Incidence of invasive versus non-invasive carcinoma and stage at presentation (according to TNM classification system) of palpable and non-palpable lesions were compared. We found a significant difference of non-invasive carcinoma in non-palpable and palpable cancers: 42.2% versus 4.3% (p < 0,001).

Patients with a non-palpable invasive carcinoma presenting at stage 1 (i.e. pT1 with no axillary metastasis) rated significantly higher compared to those with palpable lesions 51.8% versus 9.4% (p < 0,001). The true positive biopsy rate is 30%. As low as 10% has been considered reasonable. We have a total of 56% carcinomas detected on all biopsies: 30% for non-palpable lesions and 66.8% for palpable lesions.

A more aggressive approach towards screening and biopsy of breast lesions might increase early detection of carcinoma and so improve survival.

Key words:

• Non-palpable breast lesions
• mammography
• INM classification
• non-invasive carcinoma
• axillary metastasis