Our Summary

This research paper is about breast cancer imaging, a crucial part of breast cancer screening, diagnosis, and treatment. The most common techniques are mammography, ultrasound, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Each method has its own strengths and drawbacks. For example, mammography is the standard method for detecting breast cancer, but it has limitations, including the potential for false positives and negatives. Ultrasound can be used to find tumors that mammography and physical exams might miss, but it also has limitations such as being operator-dependent and unable to identify tiny microcalcifications. MRI provides a more detailed image of the breast and can detect cancer not found by other methods, but it can be costly and time-consuming. New technologies are helping to improve these methods, and imaging-guided biopsies are offering a more accurate diagnosis of breast cancer. The paper discusses the best imaging methods for different situations and patient groups, as well as the future of breast cancer imaging.

FAQs

  1. What are the main modalities for breast cancer imaging?
  2. What are the strengths and weaknesses of each breast cancer imaging technique?
  3. What are the emerging technologies in breast cancer imaging and how do they improve conventional methods?

Doctor’s Tip

One helpful tip a doctor might tell a patient about breast biopsy is to follow any pre-biopsy instructions carefully, such as avoiding blood thinning medications and fasting before the procedure. It is also important to communicate any allergies or medical conditions to the healthcare provider performing the biopsy. After the biopsy, it is normal to experience some discomfort or bruising, but any unusual symptoms such as excessive bleeding or infection should be reported to the doctor immediately. It is important to follow up with the doctor for the biopsy results and discuss any further steps in diagnosis or treatment.

Suitable For

Patients who are typically recommended breast biopsy include those with suspicious findings on imaging studies such as mammograms, ultrasound, or MRI, as well as patients with palpable breast lumps or other concerning symptoms. Patients with a personal or family history of breast cancer, a history of atypical ductal hyperplasia or lobular carcinoma in situ, or genetic mutations such as BRCA1 or BRCA2 are also often recommended for breast biopsy. Additionally, patients with a history of previous breast cancer or a history of radiation therapy to the chest may be recommended for biopsy to evaluate for recurrence or new primary tumors. Ultimately, the decision to recommend a breast biopsy is based on a combination of clinical findings, imaging studies, and individual risk factors.

Timeline

Before a breast biopsy:

  1. Patient undergoes routine breast cancer screening, which may include mammography, ultrasound, or MRI.
  2. Abnormalities are detected on imaging studies, prompting further evaluation.
  3. Patient undergoes additional imaging studies or tests, such as a diagnostic mammogram or ultrasound, to further evaluate the abnormality.
  4. If the abnormality is suspicious for cancer, a biopsy may be recommended.

After a breast biopsy:

  1. Patient is informed about the need for a biopsy and the procedure is scheduled.
  2. Patient may undergo additional imaging studies or tests to guide the biopsy procedure.
  3. Biopsy procedure is performed, which may involve a needle biopsy or surgical biopsy.
  4. Biopsy samples are sent to a pathology lab for analysis.
  5. Results of the biopsy are communicated to the patient by their healthcare provider.
  6. Patient may undergo further imaging studies or tests to determine the extent of the cancer and plan for treatment.
  7. Patient may be referred to a breast cancer specialist for further management.

What to Ask Your Doctor

  1. What type of biopsy will be performed (core needle biopsy, fine needle aspiration, surgical biopsy, etc.)?
  2. How will the biopsy be performed (ultrasound-guided, MRI-guided, stereotactic, etc.)?
  3. Will local anesthesia be used during the biopsy procedure?
  4. How long will the biopsy procedure take?
  5. What are the potential risks and complications associated with the biopsy?
  6. How soon will the biopsy results be available?
  7. What will the biopsy results reveal (benign, malignant, inconclusive)?
  8. What are the next steps if the biopsy results show cancer?
  9. Will additional imaging tests be needed after the biopsy?
  10. How should I care for the biopsy site after the procedure?

Reference

Authors: Zhang M, Mesurolle B, Theriault M, Meterissian S, Morris EA. Journal: Curr Probl Cancer. 2023 Apr;47(2):100967. doi: 10.1016/j.currproblcancer.2023.100967. Epub 2023 Jun 7. PMID: 37316336