Breast Cancer Diagnosis and Techniques for Biopsy

Screening mammography has been proven to reduce breast cancer mortality by facilitating earlier detection, which subsequently diagnoses breast cancer at earlier stages of disease progression. Current technological advances include 3D tomosynthesis mammography, which has an increased breast cancer detection rate as compared to digital mammography alone. Additional breast imaging options (contrast-enhanced digital mammography, breast ultrasound, functional breast imaging, and breast magnetic resonance imaging [MRI]) may provide more diagnostic imaging options for accurate cancer diagnosis and treatment/surgical planning. Image-guided biopsy techniques (mammogram, ultrasound, or MRI) provide definitive information regarding diagnosis, hormonal receptor status, and possible local spread (lymph node fine-needle aspiration or biopsy). Here we review the indications and techniques for the most utilized diagnostic imaging and percutaneous breast biopsy options..