Mammographic local staging of breast carcinoma: methods and limitations

Mammographic local staging of invasive carcinoma and DCIS begins during diagnostic mammography before the first biopsy intervention and continues through the wire localization, excision, and pathologic evaluation of the entire extent of the lesion. Better understanding of the limitations of mammographic staging can direct future research and development. For the evaluation of pre-existing or novel local staging techniques for breast carcinoma, outcomes not only include breast cancer overall survival and disease-free survival, but local recurrence after breast conservation treatment as well as the need for re-excision after primary excision.