Nonpalpable, needle-localized mammographic abnormalities: pathologic correlation in 219 patients:

The mammographic findings and pathologic results in 219 patients biopsied after preoperative needle localization for nonpalpable breast lesions are reviewed here. Microcalcifications and masses of varying configuration are evaluated. Smooth masses showed no evidence of malignancy. Microcalcifications of five or more and stellate masses had a high incidence of malignancy. Masses with minimal irregularity not associated with microcalcifications had a low incidence of malignancy. In 63 patients in whom a breast cancer was found, excluding two initially examined because of known metastatic disease, 88% were later found to be free of disease in axillary lymph nodes.