Breast biopsy evaluation by paraffin-block radiography
Wilkinson, E.J.; Gnadt, J.T.; Milbrath, J.; Clowry, L.J.
Archives of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine 102(9): 470-473
1978
ISSN/ISBN: 0003-9985 PMID: 581152 Document Number: 137035
The presence of occult breast carcinoma in breast biopsy specimens originally interpreted pathologically as benign has been reported in up to 2.4% of cases. Paraffin-block radiography of 658 blocks from 119 breast biopsies obtained prior to the use of mammography and initially interpreted as benign was performed to determine the frequency and relevance of "significant" calcifications. Of all cases 87.4% demonstrated some calcifications within the breast tissue; 19.3% contained calcifications considered significant. Step sections of the original blocks containing significant calcifications did not demonstrate malignant neoplasms.