[Diagnostic intervention in breast disease]

Area of Science:

• Radiology
• Oncology
• Pathology

Context:

• Breast cancer screening programs increasingly detect suspicious lesions via mammography.
• Traditional fine-needle aspiration cytology is still used but often superseded by advanced techniques.
• Minimizing invasive procedures is a key goal in breast cancer diagnostics.

Purpose:

• To review the evolution and current applications of imaging-guided percutaneous biopsy techniques in breast cancer diagnosis.
• To highlight the role of radiologists in utilizing these advanced diagnostic tools.
• To emphasize the diagnostic accuracy and reduced invasiveness of modern biopsy methods.

Summary:

• Imaging-guided percutaneous biopsies, including core biopsy and vacuum-assisted biopsy, are now standard for diagnosing mammography-detected breast lesions.
• These techniques, guided by ultrasonography, stereotaxy, or MRI, offer high reliability and have reduced the need for surgical biopsies.
• Radiologists are central to early histological diagnosis and staging of breast cancer using MRI and sentinel node biopsy.

Impact:

• Improved diagnostic accuracy for early-stage breast cancer.
• Reduced patient morbidity through minimally invasive procedures.
• Enhanced role of radiologists in multidisciplinary breast cancer care.