Variation in Practice of the Diagnostic Workup of Asymptomatic Patients Diagnosed with Invasive Breast Cancer

INTRODUCTION: Breast cancer is frequently diagnosed, yet variation remains in terms of practice patterns in presurgical workup. We sought to determine factors associated with this variation. METHODS: An anonymous web-based survey was distributed to surgeons regarding their practices. Statistical analyses were conducted using SPSS. RESULTS: A total of 253 surgeons responded to the survey. 17.0% were in academic practice, 37.5% were hospital employed, and 41.5% were in private practice. 53.3% claimed that >50% of their practice was breast related. Surgeons were asked how often they would use various tests in the workup of an otherwise healthy asymptomatic patients, presenting with a non-palpable mammographic abnormality and a core needle biopsy showing invasive breast cancer. 23.5% stated that they always would obtain a breast ultrasound, 17.2% stated that they never would. 12.8% stated that they never order a breast MRI; 4.1% always would. Workup of patients did not vary significantly based on number of years in practice nor practice setting. However, those whose practice was >50% breast were more likely to state that they would always order a breast ultrasound (32.5 vs. 12.9%, p < 0.001), and less likely to state that they would never order a breast MRI (3.4 vs. 25.8%, p < 0.001). However, the proportions of surgeons who would always order a breast MRI were similar in the two groups (3.4 and 3.2%, respectively). CONCLUSION: These data highlight the lack of uniformity in the workup of asymptomatic patients presenting with non-palpable breast cancers, pointing to potential areas for improving value by minimizing variability.