Modern imaging methods have made it possible to detect breast cancer at an earlier stage than
in the past. Nevertheless a large majority of suspicious findings at screening subsequently
prove to be benign. It is therefore important to be able to identify benign lesions in a manner
that is reliable tissue sparing patient friendly and cost-effective. More than 70% of breast
biopsies can now be performed using minimally invasive procedures that meet these criteria.
This book examines in detail vacuum-assisted minimally invasive breast biopsy systems (ATEC
EnCor Intact Mammotome and Vacora) stereotactic systems MRI-guided procedures and
ductoscopy. Further chapters are devoted to the pathology of the breast tissue obtained using
these procedures their limitations the implications of recent advances in breast imaging and
the results of cost-benefit analyses. The closing chapter provides a systematic review and
meta-analysis of recent data.
