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Updated: Jun 13, 2026
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Optimization of Breast Biopsy and Mastectomy Sample Collection Procedures for Biobanking, Personalized Medicine, and Research Applications
Published on: September 2, 2025
Breast core needle biopsy: issues and controversies
1Institute of Clinical Pathology and Medical Research, Westmead Hospital and Sydney University, Sydney, Australia. michael.bilous@swahs.health.nsw.gov.au
Summary
Core needle biopsy (CNB) is a key tool for breast disease diagnosis. However, managing certain diagnoses, like
Area of Science:
- Breast imaging and pathology
- Oncology
- Surgical pathology
Background:
- Core needle biopsy (CNB) is widely used for breast disease diagnosis.
- CNB provides crucial information for patient management but presents unresolved issues.
- Debate exists regarding optimal specimen type for receptor and HER2 testing.
Purpose of the Study:
- To address unresolved issues in core needle biopsy (CNB) for breast disease.
- To clarify management strategies for specific CNB diagnoses.
- To evaluate the role of CNB in receptor and HER2 testing.
Main Methods:
- Review of current practices and literature regarding CNB in breast disease.
- Analysis of diagnostic yield and management pathways following CNB.
- Discussion of controversies in receptor and HER2 testing on CNB specimens.
Main Results:
- CNB offers definitive diagnosis or guides management in most breast disease cases.
- Uncertain malignant potential lesions (e.g., radial scars) pose management challenges.
- Surgical excision is current standard for uncertain lesions, but conservative options are explored.
Conclusions:
- CNB is a valuable diagnostic tool for breast disease, but management of certain lesions requires further evidence.
- Standardization of receptor and HER2 testing on CNB specimens is needed.
- Exploring conservative management for 'lesions of uncertain malignant potential' may reduce overtreatment.
