Long-term follow-up results for ultrasound-guided vacuum-assisted removal of benign palpable breast mass

Background: This study was conducted to evaluate the long-term follow-up results from ultrasound-guided vacuum-assisted removal (US-VAR) of palpable benign breast mass and to identify patient characteristics that are correlated with recurrence or residual lesions. Methods: US-VAR was performed on 95 benign, palpable breast masses that underwent subsequent intervention or at least a 2-year follow-up. During the follow-up period, we reviewed the lesion and patient's characteristics, and then determined whether the presence of recurrence or residual lesions was associated with any of the characteristics. Results: Six lesions (6.3%) underwent subsequent intervention due to the recurrence of palpability. The remaining 89 lesions underwent imaging follow-up (range, 24 to 60 months; mean, 35 months). Among these lesions, 32.6% (31 of 95 masses) showed sonographically visible, nonpalpable residual lesions. The remaining 61.1% (58 masses) showed no evidence of residual lesion. The initial size of the lesion at VAR was the only characteristic correlated with recurrence (P = .017; odds ratio, 1.238). Conclusion: Our long-term follow-up results show that US-VAR may be a useful alternative to surgical excision in the management of palpable breast masses.