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A systematic approach to the evaluation and management of breast masses
Author(s) -
Winchester David P.,
Sener Stephen,
Immerman Steven,
Blum Michael
Publication year - 1983
Publication title -
cancer
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.052
H-Index - 304
eISSN - 1097-0142
pISSN - 0008-543X
DOI - 10.1002/1097-0142(19830615)51:12+<2535::aid-cncr2820511326>3.0.co;2-c
Subject(s) - medicine , biopsy , mammography , breast cancer , physical examination , radiology , fine needle aspiration , mammary gland , cytology , surgery , cancer , pathology
Between 1975 and 1980, 392 patients with a palpable mass or masses were referred for breast evaluation, including risk factor assessment, physical examination, and selective ultilization of aspiration cytology and mammography. Three‐hundred and thirty‐one (85%) were biopsied, with a benign diagnosis in 65% of the patients and cancer in 35%. The 61 patients (15%) who were not biopsied consisted of 32 patients in whom the mass disappeared on follow‐up examination, 20 with stabilization on long‐term follow‐up, and nine with decreased mass size. Most breast masses must be biopsied, but a few can be followed and biopsy avoided. However, a decision not to biopsy requires more precise clinical judgement and experience than a decision to proceed with biopsy. Absolute indications for breast biopsy include a clinically suspicious mass, a mammogram considered malignant or suspicious, aspiration cytologic findings reported as malignant or suspicious, and a persisting, dominant mass, even if clinically benign.