SENOSI Confocal Microscopy: A New and Innovating Way to Detect Positive Margins in Non-Palpable Breast Cancer?

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Surgical Pathology
• Medical Imaging

Background:

• Breast cancer is the leading cancer in Swiss women.
• Breast-conserving surgery (BCS) is preferred for small tumors, but achieving negative margins is challenging.
• Current methods for margin assessment have limitations, leading to 20-30% re-excision rates.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the Histolog® Scanner, a confocal microscopy tool, for real-time assessment of excised breast cancer margins.
• To compare the efficacy of the Histolog® Scanner against standard per-operative radiography for non-palpable breast cancer.

Main Methods:

• The study involved patients with non-palpable breast cancer.
• The Histolog® Scanner was used for intraoperative margin assessment.
• Results were compared with standard per-operative radiography.

Main Results:

• The Histolog® Scanner provides real-time images of tissue architecture.
• It allows for rapid and accurate assessment of excised margins.
• Preliminary findings suggest it is a reliable and time-efficient method.

Conclusions:

• The Histolog® Scanner shows potential as a clinical tool for improving breast cancer surgery outcomes.
• This technology may help reduce the need for re-excision by providing accurate margin status.
• Further integration into clinical practice is suggested.