Local recurrence of breast cancer caused by core needle biopsy: Case report and review of the literature

INTRODUCTION: Needle tract seeding is the implantation of tumor cells at the site of needle passage during needle biopsy. Histopathological examination of resected specimens after biopsy shows an incidence of 22%–50%. However, reports of actual local recurrence are extremely rare. Here we report such a case. PRESENTATION OF CASE: A 67-year-old woman was diagnosed with ductal carcinoma by histopathology and underwent right mastectomy and sentinel lymph node biopsy. Histopathological examination revealed non-invasive ductal carcinoma. One year after the first operation, a mass was found at the site of the core needle biopsy (CNB) scar near the previous surgical wound on the right chest. Histological examination revealed the tumor as adenocarcinoma, and a skin lesion resection was performed. After surgery, radiation therapy and endocrine therapy were performed. She remains relapse-free as of this writing, 9 months after resection. DISCUSSION: Reports of local recurrence due to needle tract seeding are extremely rare. We found nine cases of mastectomy and seven cases of partial resection performed for the first surgery; six patients received radiation therapy and 10 did not. Histological diagnosis at the time of the first operation was invasive carcinoma in all cases. CONCLUSION: The risk of seeding is high with multiple punctures in CNB, in cases with a short period until surgery, and in mucinous carcinoma. Considering these factors, CNB puncture should preferably be at a site that is included in the resection area during surgery. If not resected, close follow-up is necessary considering the possibility of local recurrence.