Nationwide survey of use of vacuum-assisted breast biopsy in South Korea.

BACKGROUND

Image-guided vacuum-assisted breast biopsy (VABB) is used for detecting breast lesions in South Korea. However, no clear guidelines for VABB exist.

MATERIALS AND

METHODS

A 53-item survey was administered to members of the Korean Breast Cancer Society between July 27 and August 27, 2010.

RESULTS

Among 62 respondents, 87.1% had performed VABB, with 63.0% performing both diagnosis and treatment. Around 62.5% used VABB for diagnosing Ultrasound Breast Imaging-Reporting and Data System (USG BIRAD) Category 3 lesions, 55% for Category 4A, 57.5% for microcalcifications detected by ultrasonography, and 30% for small Category 5. Furthermore, 81.3% used VABB to treat Category 3 lesions; while 67.8% diagnosed benign lesions on core needle biopsy, requiring surgical excision. About 83% used VABB for small tumors (<3 cm). Among therapeutically excised tumors, 86.4% reported fibroadenoma.

CONCLUSION

VABB is performed for diagnosis and treatment in South Korea, and complies with the available guidelines. However, national and global standards and guidelines for VABB need to be established.