Contemporary Considerations for Core Needle Biopsy of the Breast

Course overview

In the era of precision therapy, and with the increasing use of neoadjuvant chemotherapy, accurate diagnosis and classification of breast tumors on core needle biopsy is ever more critical at the malignant end of the spectrum. Similarly, with the emphasis on de-escalation of therapy, and the move toward fewer surgical excisions for benign, high-risk lesions, the opportunity for a "second-look" to confirm diagnostic impression on core needle biopsy has been removed. The consequences of diagnostic error, it could be argued, carry the potential for more significant morbidity in contemporary practice. Learning Objectives: Describe how best to differentiate common and uncommonly encountered diagnostic challenges in breast tumor pathology; Discuss how to anticipate and avoid diagnostic pitfalls; Review morphologic clues and ancillary testing strategies that can support diagnostic interpretation, and prevent errors; Recognize that risks are much greater for core needle biopsies