An overview of assessment of prognostic and predictive factors in breast cancer needle core biopsy specimens

Needle core biopsy (NCB), as part of triple assessment for preoperative evaluation and diagnosis of breast cancer, is now considered as an established, highly accurate method for diagnosing breast cancer that has replaced either fine needle aspiration cytology or excisional biopsy as the initial dia...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of clinical pathology 2007-12, Vol.60 (12), p.1300-1306
Main Authors: Rakha, E A, Ellis, I O
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Accuracy
Automation
Biomarkers
Biomarkers, Tumor - analysis
Biopsy
Biopsy, Needle - methods
Breast cancer
Breast Neoplasms - diagnosis
Breast Neoplasms - pathology
Breast Neoplasms - surgery
Breast Pathology
Calcification
Cancer therapies
Deoxyribonucleic acid
DNA
Female
Gangrene
Gene expression
Humans
Lymphatic Metastasis
Necrosis
Neoplasm Invasiveness
Neoplasm Staging
Pathology
Prognosis
Tumors
Ultrasonic imaging
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Summary:Needle core biopsy (NCB), as part of triple assessment for preoperative evaluation and diagnosis of breast cancer, is now considered as an established, highly accurate method for diagnosing breast cancer that has replaced either fine needle aspiration cytology or excisional biopsy as the initial diagnostic biopsy procedures in many institutions. In addition to its primary role in establishing an accurate histological diagnosis, NCB can potentially provide important additional pathological prognostic information which may be of direct clinical value in certain situations, such as patients being considered for preoperative (neoadjuvant) therapy. With this background in mind we briefly review the current role of NCB in breast cancer diagnosis and then concentrate this review on the usefulness and issues relating to use of this technique in providing accurate, reliable and clinically relevant preoperative prognostic and predictive information in patients with breast cancer.
ISSN:0021-9746
1472-4146
DOI:10.1136/jcp.2006.045377