Analysis of patients undergoing breast biopsy. The role of mammography.

Mammography plays an important role in the examination of the patient with palpable breast mass. The benefits as well as the limitations of mammography in this clinical setting are examined, and the implications of a normal mammogram report are emphasized. Physicians must be aware that the decision of whether to biopsy a palpable breast mass should not be determined solely by the mammographic findings. It is recommended that patients undergo a mammographic examination before having a breast biopsy.