BACKGROUND: Traditionally, open biopsy has been considered the optimal procedure for the diagnosis of breast nodules. Fine-needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) has been proposed as an alternate method for the diagnosis of many palpable breast lesions. METHODS: The authors compared the diagnostic utility of open biopsy and FNAB using decision tree and cost-effectiveness analyses. RESULTS: When compared with two-step excisional biopsy, FNAB achieved a savings of over $700 at the cost of 0.1% decrease in 10-year overall survival. CONCLUSIONS: These data indicate FNAB to be a reasonable alternative to open biopsy for the diagnosis of palpable breast lesions in many patients.
BACKGROUND: Traditionally, open biopsy has been considered the optimal procedure for the diagnosis of breast nodules. Fine-needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) has been proposed as an alternate method for the diagnosis of many palpable breast lesions. METHODS: The authors compared the diagnostic utility of open biopsy and FNAB using decision tree and cost-effectiveness analyses. RESULTS: When compared with two-step excisional biopsy, FNAB achieved a savings of over $700 at the cost of 0.1% decrease in 10-year overall survival. CONCLUSIONS: These data indicate FNAB to be a reasonable alternative to open biopsy for the diagnosis of palpable breast lesions in many patients.
Authors: Joel F Wallace; Scott R Weingarten; Chiun-Fang Chiou; James M Henning; Andriana A Hohlbauch; Margaret S Richards; Nicole S Herzog; Lior S Lewensztain; Joshua J Ofman Journal: J Gen Intern Med Date: 2002-03 Impact factor: 5.128