The aim of this study is to evaluate the necessity and the usefulness of the specimen mammography (SM) in breast specimens. Selecting the sections with the help of the SM, ensures that all the suspicious foci have been studied resulting in the right final diagnosis and the full evaluation of the surgical margins.

Starting a year ago in the Pathology Dpt of Metaxa Cancer Hosp. a Specimex DC-specimen radiography System (SOREDEX-Finland) is operated.

SM is performed in all specimens which are surgically excised only because of mammographic abnormalities (no palpable lesions) and in specimens with Ca to evaluate the location of it from the surgical margins.

The findings of the SM are compared with the patiens' preoperative mammographs and the histologic/microscopic findings.

In 54,5% of the SM we identified only microcalcifications and the final diagnosis was in 58,3% of these in situ Ca (with presence of microinfiltration in 16,6% of these) and in the rest 41,7% the final diagnosis was benign lesions.

In 59% the mammographic abnormality, in SM, was an irregular or spherical shadow. In 69% of these the diagnosis was benign and in the rest 31% the diagnosis was malignant.

In conclusion the SM helps a lot to make the right final diagnosis by helping in the selection of the sections which will be embedded in paraffin blocks.

Key words: Breast, Mammography, Diagnosis

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