A series of 90 clinically occult operated breast lesions, diagnosed in the course of mammographic mass screening for early detection of breast cancer, is reported. Five radiological patterns of suspect lesions are identified and compared with histological diagnosis of the biopsy. Diagnostic quadrantectomy is suggested for clinically unapparent lesions showing a radiologic pattern which has a high probability of finding a cancer or preneoplastic lesion (severe epitheliosis). Alternative biopsy methods to diagnostic quadrantectomy are recommended for lesions showing other radiological patterns, allowing for a more limited breast tissue excision.
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