Time trends of benign/malignant breast biopsy ratios a multicenter Italian study.

Aims and background Although they have been decreasing over time due to improved specificity of diagnostic assessment, benign biopsies of the breast are still common. Benign biopsies should be regarded as negative events, due to their economical and psychological cost and their possible negative impact on cosmesis and on further diagnostic evaluation. Methods Retrospective data on benign/malignant breast biopsies ratio (B/M) were collected in 9 Italian centers for a period of 10-15 years. The time trend of B/M and its association to age or to single centers was evaluated. Results Overall 31,001 cases were considered. A strong association of B/M to age was evident (average B/M values were 5.…