Vacuum assisted breast biopsy (VAB) excision of subcentimeter microcalcifications as an alternative to open biopsy for atypical ductal hyperplasia

Objective:Atypical ductal hyperplasia (ADH) is a proliferative lesion associated with a variable increased risk of breast malignancy, but the management of the patients is still not completely defined, with mandatory surgical excision in most cases. To report the results of the conservative management with mammographic checks of patients with ADH diagnosed by vacuum assisted breast biopsy (VAB), without residual calcifications.Methods:The authors accessed the institutional database of radiological, surgical and pathological anatomy. Inclusion criteria were: ADH diagnosed by VAB on a single group of microcalcifications, without residual post-procedure; follow-up at least of 12 months. Exclusion criteria were the presence of personal history of breast cancer or other high-risk lesions; association with other synchronous lesions, both more and less advanced proliferative lesions.Results:The 65 included patients were all females, with age range of 40–79 years (mean 54 years). The maximum diameter range of the...