Abstract

Aims: To describe results of needle core biopsies of the male breast.

Methods: Needle core biopsies from male breasts and corresponding histological follow up data were retrieved from pathology computer files. For those biopsies with no histological follow up data, the nationwide pathology computer files were consulted.

Results: Twenty six core biopsies of male breasts were performed from 1993 until the end of 2002. All patients had unilateral lesions and were between 20 and 88 years old. In seven patients, core biopsy results were confirmed in the excision specimen. In one patient, the core biopsy diagnosis of cancer was confirmed in another hospital. In 17 patients with a benign core biopsy that was not excised in one of the hospitals served by this laboratory, the nationwide pathology computer files did not retrieve a missed malignancy. One patient with cancer in a core biopsy did not receive surgery because of old age. Core biopsy or aspiration cytology was not used in six of 19 men with cancer.

Conclusions: Core biopsy of the male breast is a reliable preoperative diagnostic procedure, which should be used more often because it can help to avoid unnecessary surgery and in planning surgery for cancer.