Accuracy of Core Needle Biopsy in Determining Histological Type and Scarff–Richardson Grade in Invasive Breast Cancer

Abstract

histological type and tumor grade remains clinically important for treatment planning.
Objective: To evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of CNB in identifying histological type and Scarff–Richardson (Nottingham) grade in invasive breast carcinoma.
Methods: A retrospective study was conducted at Narayan Medical College and Hospital from January 2023 to December 2024. A total of 100 patients with invasive breast cancer who underwent CNB followed by surgical excision were included. Histopathological findings from CNB were compared with final surgical specimens.
Results: The agreement for histological typing was 92%, with a sensitivity of 93% and specificity of 88% (κ = 0.84, p < 0.001). The overall agreement for tumor grading was 78%, showing moderate concordance (κ = 0.68, p < 0.01).
Conclusion: CNB is highly accurate for histological typing and moderately accurate for grading, supporting its role in preoperative decision-making.