Breast Interventions: A Primer for Interventional Radiologists

Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer related deaths in the United States. The area of breast interventions has benefited from recent advances in devices and imaging quality. Ultrasound, MRI, and stereotactic guided vacuum assisted and mechanical rotating stick freeze biopsy are the preferred methods for histologic diagnosis of breast lesions. Ablation techniques are available for the treatment of benign and malignant breast disease. The MammoSite balloon catheter can be placed percutaneously for delivering high dose short term brachytherapy. Interventional Radiologists can and should perform all of these procedures to improve the quality of women’s health.

Keywords: breast, intervention, biopsy, ablation, brachytherapy