Immediate surgical resection of residual microcalcifications after a diagnosis of pure flat epithelial atypia on core biopsy: A word of caution

• Published in: Surgical oncology Vol. 19; no. 4; pp. 243 - 246
• Main Authors: Noël, Jean-Christophe, Buxant, Frédéric, Engohan-Aloghe, Corinne
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Netherlands Elsevier Ltd 01-12-2010; Elsevier Limited
• Subjects: Adult; Aged; Biopsy, Needle; Breast; Breast - pathology; Breast - surgery; Breast Neoplasms - pathology; Calcinosis - pathology; Calcinosis - surgery; Carcinoma, Ductal, Breast - pathology; Carcinoma, Lobular - pathology; Epithelial Cells - pathology; Female; Hematology, Oncology and Palliative Medicine; Humans; Management; Middle Aged; Pure flat epithelial atypia; Retrospective Studies; Surgery; Surgical resection; Breast; Surgical resection; Pure flat epithelial atypia; Management
• ISSN: 0960-7404; 1879-3320
• DOI: 10.1016/j.suronc.2009.08.002

Abstract The entity of pure flat epithelial atypia remains a challenge due to controversy of the surgical management of residual microcalcifications after core needle biopsies. This study aims to assess the morphological data observed in immediate surgical resection specimen of residual microcalcifications after a diagnosis of pure flat epithelial atypia on mammotome core biopsy. Sixty-two mammotome core biopsy with a diagnosis of pure flat epithelial atypia (flat epithelial atypia without associated atypical ductal hyperplasia, in situ and/or invasive carcinoma) were identified. From these 62 cases, 20 presented residual microcalcifications and underwent an immediate surgical excision after mammotome. Of the 20 patients with excised microcalcifications, 8 (40%)cases had residual pure flat epithelial atypia, 4 (20%) cases had atypical ductal hyperplasia, 4 (20%) cases had lobular in situ neoplasia, no lesions were retrieved in 4 (20%) case. None of the patients had either in situ ductal carcinoma and/or invasive carcinoma. Surgical resection of residual microcalcifications after the diagnosis of pure flat epithelial atypia on core needle biopsy remains still a debate. The present study shows no cases of in situ ductal and/or invasive carcinoma on immediate excision of residual microcalcifications after mammotome core biopsies.