Klin Onkol 2006; 19(3): 177-182.

Summary:
Introduction. Vacuum biopsy as provided by the mammotome completes the spectrum of miniinvasive diagnostic methods that have become standard procedures in breast diagnostics. The aim of a such preoperative biopsy is reduction of number of surgical diagnostic excisions as well as verified diagnosis that may lead to the individual planning of treatment (tailoring).
Material and methods. In the Czech republic all nine mammotomic centers performed to date a total of 1 129 vacuum biopsies, 510 of them by hand held technique (HH), and 610 stereotactic biopsies (ST), respectively. 241 vacuum biopsies were performed at the mammodiagnostic unit of the first author (Mamma Center DTC Prague) and this subgroup could be analysed more profoundly for the effectiveness of this procedure.
Results. Carcinoma in situ was diagnosed in 13%, invasive carcinoma in 17%, atypical hyperplasia in 28% and benign lesions in 42% with the use of the hand held technique, while 26% of in situ carcinoma, 14% of invasive carcinomas, 18% of atypical hyperplasia and the same 42% of benign lesions were detected using the stereotactic method.
Conclusion. Stereotactically guided vacuum biopsy is indicated for verification of all types of microcalcifications of uncertain origin. While exact indications for the hand held (sonographically controlled) technique of vacuum biopsy have not been determined yet, they are gradually arising from diagnostic practice.

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