Biopsied in the USA

Fine needle aspirate and core biopsy are well established techniques in the UK for achieving preoperative diagnoses for palpable and impalpable breast lesions. Since the mid-1990s the number of units using Mammotome has steadily increased; as yet no randomised trial comparing vacuum-assisted biopsy against automated core biopsy has been published. However, a critical review of currently available literature has shown a significant decrease in the high-risk lesion underestimate rate and a nonsignificant decrease in the ductal carcinoma in situ underestimate rate when compared with published data on 14 G core biopsy [1]. The aim of this bursary was to visit two centres in the US and briefly review the next generation of 'post mammotome' biopsy devices that are in routine use and likely to be launched in the UK. As none of these devices have been subject to a randomised trial this report is a subjective evaluation of these techniques by a UK practitioner working in the National Health Service Breast Screening Programme and Symptomatic Breast Imaging service.