Factors associated with upstaging from ductal carcinoma in situ following core needle biopsy to invasive cancer in subsequent surgical excision

ObjectivesThe present study tried to identify factors predictive of upstaging from ultrasound-guided core needle biopsy (CNB)-diagnosed ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) to invasive cancer after surgical excision.Materials and methodsWe enrolled 506 female CNB-diagnosed DCIS patients who underwent subsequent surgical excision between January 2000 and February 2011. A retrospective analysis of patients undergone core needle biopsy and subsequent surgical excision was performed. Ultrasonography guided CNB was performed using either an 8-, 11-gauge vacuum-assisted method, or a 14-gauge needle automated gun method.ResultsThe overall upstaging rate was 42.7% (216/506). Multivariate analysis found that a palpable lesion, a lesion size >20 mm, a high grade lesion, and use of the 14-gauge needle method were independently associated with upstaging (p < 0.05 for all variables). We designed a scoring system to predict lymph node positivity in these patients, and the subsequent ROC curve showed an AUC value of 0.746 (p < 0.001, 95% CI: 0.66–0.82). Patient with a non-high grade lesion that was ≤20 mm in size carried no risk of lymph node positivity.ConclusionUpstaging was associated with lesions that were large, palpable or high grade. It was also associated with use of the 14-gauge needle method. Our scoring system might be helpful to identify patients who do not require sentinel lymph node biopsy.