Effects on short-term quality of life of vacuum-assisted breast biopsy: comparison between digital breast tomosynthesis and digital mammography.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To compare the effects of digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT)-guided and digital mammography (MMx)-guided vacuum-assisted breast biopsy (VABB) on short-term quality of life (QoL). METHODS: From November 2014 through March 2015, females undergoing VABB in an academic medical centre participated in a survey after biopsy. VABB was performed under DBT (Group 1) or MMx guidance (Group 2). Biopsy experience was assessed with a modified testing morbidities index (TMI). 10 attributes were assessed six related to the procedures (pain or discomfort before and during testing, fear or anxiety before and during testing, physical and mental function after testing) and four not related to the procedures (familiarity for cancer and clinical history, embarrassment during testing and overall satisfaction). Non-parametric standard statistics were used to compare data of Group 1 and data of Group 2. RESULTS: A total of 90 females (mean age, 55.8 years; range, 40-87 years) were enrolled 45 underwent DBT-VABB and 45 MMx-VABB. The sum of the 6 of 10 items related to the procedures was significantly worse for DBT (p < 0.02), but no differences were observed for the single items. The median value for DBT-VABB and MMx-VABB was 95.2 and 90.1, respectively (p < 0.02). The 4 of 10 TMI items not related to the procedures did not differ significantly between the two groups. Four females fainted during DBT-VABB and three females during MMx-VABB; all of these patients underwent VABB procedures in sitting position. CONCLUSION: Females in the DBT-VABB study group have a decreased short-term QoL compared with the MMx-VABB group. DBT-VABBs were less tolerated than MMx-VABBs. ADVANCES IN KNOWLEDGE DBT-VABB was less tolerated than MMx-VABB. Females in the DBT-VABB study group had a decreased short-term QoL compared with the MMx-VABB group. Overall satisfaction was similar for both procedures.