TRIPLE ASSESSMENT & DIAGNOSING CARCINOMA

The main objective of breast imaging is the detection of clinically occult cancer at the earliest possible stage to decrease mortality from the disease and permit breast conservation surgery. Many benign lesions are indistinguishable from malignant ones and biopsy is frequently required as approximately 25% of suspicious, impalpable abnormalities turn out to be malignant. Impalpable cancer will often need to be localised with imaging techniques prior to wide local excision to provide maximum possible information to surgeon for good results.

Diagnostic biopsy
A diagnostic biopsy is performed using either a fine needle aspiration cytology (F.N.A.C.) technique or with a core biopsy needle to give a histological specimen.

Click here to see F.N.A.C. versus Core biopsy table

If you require further advice or information please contact the
Macmillan Breast Care Nurses, Hazel Ricard and Hilary Rickwood on 020 8565 5885